FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round Draw: Angels handed "dream draw" at Oxford United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy first round draw was made at Soho Square this morning, and the two and a half Kent sides that have qualified for this stage will all be looking to cause upsets, writes Stephen McCartney.
Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels, unbeaten under their new manager Tommy Warrilow, have been drawn away to Blue Square Premier giants Oxford United - a club that used to be in the top flight of English football.When Ebbsfleet United played at the Kassam Stadium earlier this month, there was a crowd of 4,655 there.
Tonbridge Angels chairman Nick Sullivan was delighted with the lucrative trip to Oxfordshire – a game that should attract a crowd of over 2,500.
"It’s one that everyone wants!" he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
"The club’s gone through turmoil recently, it’s just a fantastic draw for everyone; players, the officials and the supporters.
"It’s a great day out. We go there with no fear. It’s a dream draw for us, a nice money day for us.
"I’m just pleased for everybody but before then we’ve got so many important games."
Blue Square South outfit Bromley are also on their travels, and to another Blue Square Premier side, in Crawley Town.
And Ryman League Division One South leaders Dover Athletic will welcome Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers to the SeaFrance Crabble Stadium - if they win their replay at Sutton United on Tuesday night.
Ebbsfleet United, however, who enter the competition at this stage, have home advantage over Carshalton Athletic, from the Ryman Premier League, or Hitchin Town, a side that’s at the foot of the British Gas Business Premier League table.
Meanwhile, www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering Dover Athletic’s replay at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday night.
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round Draw in full
Ties to be played on Saturday, 15th December 2007.
AFC Telford United v Blyth Spartans/Gainsborough Trinity
Vauxhall Motors v Northwich Victoria
Alfreton Town v Southport
Halifax Town v Leamington
Stafford Rangers v Rushall Olympic/Ossett Town
Colwyn Bay/Sheffield v Burton Albion
Bamber Bridge v Rushden & Diamonds
Droylsden v Evesham United/Redditch United
Histon v Retford United
Gateshead v Farsley Celtic
Cambridge United v King`s Lynn
Hucknall Town/Witton Albion v Tamworth
Leigh RMI v Nuneaton Borough/Workington
Guiseley v Kidderminster Harriers
Cambridge City v Kettering Town
Altrincham v York City
Gloucester City v Braintree Town
Hemel Hempstead Town v Woking
Grays Athletic v Lewes
Maidenhead United v AFC Wimbledon
Dorchester Town/Worthing v Stevenage Borough
Bishop`s Stortford v Canvey Island
Torquay United v Bashley
Crawley Town v Bromley
Newport County v Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v Carshalton Athletic/Hitchin Town
Oxford United v Tonbridge Angels
Wealdstone v Weymouth
Dover Athletic/Sutton United v Forest Green Rovers
Hayes & Yeading United v Aldershot Town
Exeter City v Salisbury City
Eastleigh v Bognor Regis Town
Draw courtesy of www.thefa.com