FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Draw: Dartford draw Bromley in winner-takes-all showdown

THERE WILL be at least one Kent non-league side in the First Round of The FA Cup with Budweiser this season, writes Stephen McCartney.



Dartford have been handed a tasty Fourth Qualifying Round tie against their Blue Square Bet South rivals Bromley on 29 October.

The last time the two sides met at Princes Park was to contest the Kent Senior Cup Final last season, which Dartford won 4-1, in front of a bumper Bank Holiday Monday gate of 2,025 last May.

Dartford co-chairman David Skinner felt the draw could have been kinder, but at least a winner-takes-all showdown against a Kent club will draw in a similar crowd to Princes Park.

He said: “At least it’s a home draw, but could have been better!”

Dartford progressed to this round with a 2-1 win over Cray Wanderers at Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground at the weekend.

Tony Burman’s side found themselves a goal-down through Tommy Whitnell’s tenth goal of the season in the 47^th minute, but a curling 40-yard free-kick from winger Ryan Hayes and a deflected shot from substitute striker Danny Harris inside the final eighteen minutes saw the Darts’ through.

But Dartford striker Charlie Sheringham, 23, will be suspended for the game, having picked up his fifth booking of the season against Cray Wanderers at the weekend.

Dartford confirmed that they have accepted a bid from AFC Bournemouth for the former Welling United striker, who has scored 12 goals so far this season.

Dartford reached the First Round last season, losing 4-0 away to Port Vale in a replay, after coming so close to creating a shock at Princes Park, as the League Two side snatched a late equaliser.

Mark Goldberg’s Bromley, meanwhile, had to do it the hard way.  They found themselves 2-0 down to Ryman Premier League side Margate at Hartsdown Park but snatched victory in the final twenty minutes, courtesy of returning striker Warren McBean’s brace and a penalty from spot-kick specialist Danny Waldren.

Bromley secretary, Colin Russell, gave his reaction to the draw, which was made at Wembley Stadium this morning.

“Disappointed not to be at home but pleased to have avoided a Blue Square Bet Premier Club,” he said.

“Looking forward to what should be a cracking tie in front of a big crowd at Princes Park.”

Bromley’s assistant manager, Murray Jones, added, “Another local Kent derby that will give both teams a realistic opportunity of getting through to the First Round of The FA Cup.”

It will be Bromley's third FA Cup tie against a Kent club, having already beaten Welling United and Margate in their two earlier ties.

Dover Athletic, who reached the Third Round last season, beating Andy Hessenthaler’s Gillingham on a memorial day at Priesfield Stadium, and another League Two side in the shape of Aldershot Town at Crabble, before losing up at Huddersfield Town, welcome Blue Square Bet Premier strugglers Bath City to Crabble.

Bath City, who play one division higher than Dover Athletic, are rooted to the foot of the table, having won only one of their sixteen league games.

Dover Athletic boss Nicky Forster's reaction to the draw was, “Happy with the draw, especially being another home tie for us.  It will be nice to be the underdog as league standing goes, pitting ourselves against a club from the league we are trying to get to ourselves!”

Forster’s side scraped past Ridgeons Eastern League outfit Wroxham, who took an early lead through Ross Durrant to stun the Crabble faithful.

But second half goals from Ed Harris, James Walker and Donovan Simmonds prevented a giant-killing on Saturday, as Wroxham had two players sent-off on their big day.

Liam Daish will be pleased that his Ebbsfleet United side begin their FA Cup campaign with a trip to Redbridge, who are in fourteenth place in the Ryman League Division One North table.

League Two side Gillingham await the successful non-league qualifiers in the First Round draw.

To view the full FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth Qualifying Round Draw:

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/Fixtures