FA Cup Draw: Fleet look forward to "interesting" Kent derby at Bromley

Monday 12th October 2009

BROMLEY face their second successive Kent derby in the FA Cup as they have been paired with relegation threatened Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet United in the fourth and final qualifying round, writes Stephen McCartney.

Mark Goldberg’s side came away from Tonbridge Angels with a
2-0 win at the weekend, courtesy of goals from Ryan Hall and Donal O’Sullivan, as the Hayes Lane outfit stretched their run to eight successive wins over Tonbridge.

Roly Edwards, the vice-chairman of Ebbsfleet United, is looking forward to the local derby at Hayes Lane.

"This will be a tough game," he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk as soon the draw was made.

"A home tie would have been nice but it's an interesting local match for fans of Kentish Football though."

The tie at Hayes Lane will be Ebbsfleet's fifth away draw at this stage in six seasons.

The two sides met in a pre-season friendly earlier in the season at Hayes Lane, with Bromley winning that game 1-0.

The two clubs previously met in the 2006 Kent Senior Cup Final with Bromley running out 3-2 winners after extra time.

Bromley have appeared in the first round proper only once in the last 12 years, in November 2006, losing at Gillingham.

Having needed a replay to get past Woking, the Fleet were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round proper last season, going down to Crewe Alexandra's one and only shot on target up at Gresty Road last November.

Dover Athletic, meanwhile, look forward to playing their third successive home tie, when they welcome fellow Blue Square South side Eastleigh to Crabble.

Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler, whose side knocked out Welling United 2-0 in the last round, thanks to goals from Olly Schulz and Jon Wallis, is pleased with the draw.

"I'm pleased we have another home draw," he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"It's going to be tough, they are a very strong side who play to their strengths but a game we'll will look forward to when it comes around."

Hessenthaler is eager to improve on his club's dire FA Cup record, as they've reached the first round proper in 1981 and 2002 but on both occasions the Whites' dreams were dashed by Oxford United.

Matches take place on Saturday 24^th October – with £12,500 in FA prize money up for grabs for the winner and also a place in the first round proper and a potential tie with giants such as Leeds United.

To view the full FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw visit:

www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/Fixtures.aspx