The Badgers Sports Ground proves to be a happy hunting ground for the Crows.
With this being the penultimate fixture for both teams and with nothing but pride to play for, one could have expected to see a lack-lustre game, played out more like a testimonial match than a battle for three points.
That thought would have been further enhanced when you consider it was going to be played out on a pitch which has clearly taken some punishment through the season, as it was threadbare and void of grass in many areas but especially through the middle, goalmouth to goalmouth.
For those of you who have never been to the Badgers before, it also has a slope which runs from the goal nearest the clubhouse towards the lower goal by the gardens. Due to the lack of rain recently, it was also very dry and bumpy, therefore, an exciting game of free-flowing football was probably never on the cards.
However, what transpired was a game full of commitment, endeavour, four absolutely stunning goals and a plethora of high balls from one end to the other, more often than not from the home side, who in truth, we're playing to their strengths, so you can't blame them.
What football on the deck was largely played by the Crows but they themselves succumbed to the long ball for periods of the game, especially in the second half when the home side started to get on top after going 2-1 up.
The first half didn't start that well for the Crows when they found themselves 1-0 down after only 6 minutes, Hawkins hitting a great volley from the right hand side of the Crows penalty area, from some 20 yards out, Collick in the Crows goal not really having a chance to save it.
This woke the Crows up and they started to dominate possession for much of the half, although the home side did look quick on the break and with some better passing and better finishing, may well have found themselves further behind.
Carrington was coming in for some harsh treatment by the home defenders and the Crows were awarded a succession of free kicks around the Cray Valley penalty due to this over exuberance and from one of these free kicks, Death made it 1-1 after 31 minutes, his direct free kick alluding the wall and bouncing over the despairing dive of Sutton in the Cray Valley goal.
The only sad note for the Crows during the first half was that Cameron had to leave the field injured after 37 minutes due to injury and had to be replaced by Trotter from the bench.
The second half started with Cray Valley kicking down the slope and they used this to their advantage with long balls raining down on the Crows penalty area from deep, some were mopped up by 'keeper Collick or dealt with by the outstanding Boddy, Jagger and Trotter, ably supported by full back Hinkson but eventually the home scored restored their lead.
A long kick by Sutton reached Paul Gross some 30 yards out, on the right hand side of the Crows area and his stunning lob left Collick stranded as it went into the net right by the 'keepers near post.
This gave the home side a lift, with Paul Gross, Hawkins and Simms a constant threat, Gross with his height and physique, Hawkins and Simms with their trickery and pace down the flanks and they created some chances that really they should have done better with.
So the Crows had to dig deep and come from behind again, which they gradually did and they had some sustained pressure of their own around the 75th minute mark and from a corner, Jagger had a header cleared of the line, much to the disappointment of the Crows players and travelling fans.
The disappointment didn't last long though, as from the resulting corner, the ball came out to Boddy on the edge of the area and he struck a fantastic half volley into the top corner of the net, giving Sutton absolutely no chance to save it, 2-2 and all to play for in the remaining 15 minutes.
Both teams went in search of the winner, chances for each coming and going and it looked like a 2-2 draw as we entered the 90 minute but then up popped Jack Funnell who received the ball just inside the home side's half as he embarked on a run at the home defence.
After beating a succession of defenders, all of whom failed to either take the ball off of him or foul him, he found himself inside the home side's penalty area and his unerring shot flew past the 'keeper and into the net, queue the celebrations of the Crows players and supporters alike, so it was 3-2 with stoppage time to play.
In the end there were no more goals so the Crows took the spoils and the after match pint tasted very sweet indeed and I have to say the hospitality shown by the home side was very much appreciated.
The only downside for the Crows were the injuries sustained to Cameron and Carrington and the yellow cards shown to Waterman and Hinkson, however, it's surprising how getting three points and completing another double lifts one and how it makes for a joyous atmosphere.
There's no doubt that had we played a team who has physique and pace and uses it in the way Cray Valley do, we would have lost quite heavily earlier in the season but the squad is now showing people they've learnt the lesson of those earlier games and are now able to go toe-to-toe with such teams and give as good as they get, whilst still trying to play the way we have to because that's the way we want to.
The team was captained by Tom Boddy on the night as Barton, Butler, Trotter and Rich were not available and he was definitely the Crows man-of-the-match as he was absolutely outstanding at centre half and at right back once Cameron had to be substituted.
Our last game of the season is at home on Saturday against Erith Town, who need to win if they have any chance of avoiding relegation, which should make for an entertaining game but with us with only one defeat now from our last nine games, we should be confident of getting a positive result, no matter what team we put out.