FA CARLSBERG TROPHY DRAW: It's a great draw for the fans, says Hessenthaler

Monday 02nd November 2009

THE third (and final) qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy has produced three tasty Kent derbies, writes Stephen McCartney.

The tie of the round will be staged at Crabble, where two of Kent’s biggest clubs – Dover Athletic and Dartford – meet on Saturday 21^st November.

Dover Athletic, who will top the Blue Square South table on Saturday evening by beating leaders Newport County at Crabble, will welcome Tony Burman’s side that are unbeaten and thirteen points clear at the summit of the Ryman Premier League table.

Both sets of fans cannot wait for the match, and Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler feels the same.

“It’s a great draw for fans,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the Football Association published the draw.

He added: “It will be a tough game as they are flying. It should be a great football match between two good teams.

“Tony Burman is a good friend of mine and is doing a great job.

“We will look forward to it when it comes along.”

In the other three ties, Blue Square South sides will face Ryman League opposition.

Bromley welcome Maidstone United to Hayes Lane, and Stones joint-manager, Lloyd Hume, faces his third away tie in the competition, having travelled to Waltham Forest and Bognor Regis Town already.

“It’s another tough game away from home to a quality side that’s doing well in the league above,” Hume told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But it’s a derby cup game with a lot at stake so we will go there positively as we are doing well at the moment and confidence is high in the camp.”

Welling United, who are expected to name their new manager this week, face Tonbridge Angels.

Angels boss Tommy Warrilow hopes for good, vocal support at Park View Road.

“It’s a nice local derby, which helps our supporters travel wise and a chance for us to again test ourselves against another team from the league above after playing Bromley in the FA Cup,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s a few weeks away yet so it’s important we go into the game on the back of some decent results.”

Jim Ward will be hoping his Ramsgate side cause an upset when Bishop’s Stortford visit Southwood Stadium.

“The chairman’s delighted!” Ward told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after his side won at Fleet Town’s fortress, the slope at Calthorpe Park.

“We’ll be at home, that’s what we want and then we’ll go away to (Blue Square Premier giants) Luton Town in the next round, that’ll do us,” the Scotsman predicted.

Ramsgate midfielder, Liam Quinn, who scored the second goal with a stunning 35-yard volley with the outside of his left boot, is also looking further ahead.

“It would be out of this world if we win the next one and if we can get a big side, a big Conference side in the first round,” the 22-year-old told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Clubs who are successful at this stage will bank £4,000 each in prize money from the Football Association.

To view the full draw, please visit:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFATrophy/Fixtures.aspx