Kentish Football

Kent managers' reaction to mouth-watering FA Cup third qualifying round ties

Monday 28th September 2009
THE FIRST round proper of the FA Cup is drawing closer and the Kent sides that are left in the competition are dreaming of meeting the big-boys in November, writes Stephen McCartney.


There will be at least three Kent sides in the fourth and final qualifying round (Ebbsfleet United start their campaign at this stage being a Blue Square Premier club) as today’s third qualifying round draw has pulled together two mouth-watering Kent derbies. 

Dover Athletic and Welling United - Blue Square South rivals - lock horns at Crabble and both managers are looking forward to the crunch game.

Both sides have already met at the ground in the league already this season, Dover Athletic winning 2-0, but boss Andy Hessenthaler, whose side top the table,  told www.kentishfootball.co.uk  that this will go out of the window in the FA Cup clash.

Hessenthaler, whose side thumped Sussex County League minnows East Preston 8-0 in their first FA Cup tie at the weekend, said, “It’s nice to have a  home draw.  It should be a good crowd but it’s going to be a tough game.

“Welling are on a nice run of wins at the moment so it won’t be easy.  Andy Ford is a good manager, very experienced and will have them ready.”

The Wings have won their last three competitive games, Dorchester Town and Weston-super-Mare in the league, and two goals from Tommy Whitnell (who had a brief trial at Dover Athletic during pre-season) saw off Ryman League Division One North high-flyers East Thurrock United in the last round on Saturday.

Welling United  boss Ford told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, “It’s a great draw.  I would have liked it at home but I’m really looking forward to it.”

The other Kent derby is the clash between Tonbridge Angels and Bromley.

This will be the Angels third home tie, having seen off two Ryman League Division One South sides in Metropolitan Police and Horsham YMCA already.

Blue Square South side Bromley defeated Flackwell Heath 2-0 at Hayes Lane on Saturday, but Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk is looking forward to facing a local rival in front of a four-figure Longmead Stadium crowd.

“I’m happy to be at home again, especially to another Kent side,” said Warrilow.  “Obviously we will be underdogs for the first time with them being from a league above, but we know on our day we are a match for anyone.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully a good crowd too.”

We could even have a third Kent derby - but that all depends if Kent League side Hythe Town can pull off a giant killing, by beating full-time Blue Square South side Woking at Kingfield Stadium tomorrow night.

Scott Porter’s side held the Cards to a 2-2 draw at Reachfields Stadium at the weekend and face a huge challenge to get past a Woking side that are in fourth place in the Blue Square South table - three league’s higher than them.

If they do, Hythe will welcome Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United in the next round.

Stones’ joint-manager Lloyd Hume, whose side have defeated lower league sides Bedfont and Harefield United to reach this stage, will be at Woking tomorrow night to cast his eye over their next FA Cup opponents.

“It’s hard to asses the draw until we know who we will be playing,” Hume told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Hythe are a very strong side, especially at home and they showed that with their draw against Woking.

“Woking are a full-time team and one of the favourites for the Conference South so would prove to be very tough opposition.

“We will be watching tomorrow night to asses our next round opponents.  It will be tough whoever we get next.”

Maidstone's away tie means they will not play a single home game at Homelands during the month of October, unless they draw, of course!

Hythe have already defeated Whitehawk, Eastbourne Town and Faversham Town to get this far and tomorrow night’s replay will be their fifth FA Cup tie of the season.  Let’s hope the Stones will be their sixth!

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering their replay at Woking tomorrow night.

Ryman Premier League leaders Dartford look forward to their first home tie in the competition as they welcome Blue Square South giants Chelmsford City to Princes Park.

Tony Burman’s side have come away from Chipstead and Worthing with wins under their belts and confidence will be high going into the game.

And co-chairman David Skinner is looking forward to the two giant clubs locking horns once more, which is expected to attract a crowd of nearer 2,000.

“It’s a great draw,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.   “Massive game, takes us back to our old big rivalries in the 80’s.

“Put it this way, if we beat Chelmsford we deserve to be in with the big boys.”

Speaking about being clear leaders of the Ryman Premier League, Mr Skinner added, “It’s been fantastic.  The team have been doing well, there’s a great spirit around the club.  Everyone’s walking around with a smile on their faces - long may it continue!”

All ties are  to be played on Saturday, 10th October (3pm).

Third qualifying round winners all bank £7,500 in prize money from the Football Association.








 

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