Non-league round-up: Cray Valley PM post back-to-back Bank Holiday victories

Cray Valley PM’s impressive start to life in the Isthmian League Premier Division continued with a 1-0 home victory over Carshalton Athletic on Monday.

Steve McKimm’s side have taken 12 points from a possible 15 and are second in the early standings.

Freddie Parker’s 47th-minute goal was enough to seal a fourth league win of the campaign at The Artic Stadium. The Millers host Horsham on Saturday.

McKimm told Cray Valley’s YouTube channel: “I set a target of four points (from the bank holiday weekend fixtures) before training on Thursday because we had a tough away game (Folkestone Invicta) and we knew this (Carshalton) would be a tough game.

“To take six points with two 1-0 wins and two clean sheets – regardless of how it was done – I’m a very happy manager. I’ve got very happy players and I’d like to think very happy board members and supporters.

“I’ve got to give the players a little bit of leeway this year because I’ve got to realise, and so have supporters, that we’re up against better players and better management teams.

“A lot of players have played at a higher level and are coming down to this league. We are basically going to need to ride our luck at times – we’re not going to have it all our own way all of time.

“To take four wins and a loss out of the first five games, I’d have bitten your hand off if you’d offered me that at the start of the season.”

Dulwich Hamlet have had a mixed start to the season but defeated Cray Wanderers 2-1 on Monday at Champion Hill.

George Porter scored for the hosts shortly before the half-hour mark but it was cancelled out by Tom Bonner.

Anthony Jeffrey struck in the 83rd minute for Hamlet, who have collected seven points from five matches and are 13th in the table.

Dulwich go to Canvey Island on Saturday.

Mid-table Welling United drew 0-0 at Hornchurch on Monday in National League South. They welcome Chesham to Park View Road on Saturday.

PICTURES: ROMANA RULE/INSPIRE SOCIALS