It’s arguably the biggest weekend in the Non League calendar as 34 places are up for grabs in Monday’s First Round draw of the Emirates FA Cup.
The Gills are of course already there and Steve Lovell will be more concerned with precious SKYBet League One points at the Keepmoat against Doncaster Rovers.
There are five Kent sides looking to join Lovell’s men and all will argue that they have a chance.
In no particular order, Andy Hessenthaler’s first Cup tie since returning to Dover Athletic sees Whites head through the Dartford Tunnel to face Concord Rangers.
Ebbsfleet United will be wary of becoming a fallen “giant” whilst looking to put all their seeming off the field problems behind them as they welcome high flying Worthing from the BOSTIK Premier.
Bromley drew the short straw and face the long trip to Evesham to face Gloucester City, whilst for Harry Wheeler his first FA Cup tie in charge of Maidstone United arguably couldn’t have been more tricky on paper as they welcome high flying Leyton Orient to the county town.
Finally, Steve King’s Welling United look to take their wonderful current National League form to Kingfield and former famous FA Cup Giantkillers Woking.
There’s plenty of League action too, and at Princes Park, it’s the return of the prodigal son as Ryan Hayes is set for his second “debut” for the club after returning this week from Concord, as the Darts host Dulwich Hamlet.
In the BOSTIK Premier, all three of our sides travel – leaders Tonbridge Angels undoubtedly have the game of the weekend at AFC Hornchurch; Bognor will be sick of the sight of the Kent sides after playing the Angels and Folkestone in the last week, they now host Margate on Saturday, whilst Neil Cugley’s Folkestone Invicta will look to back up midweek’s amazing win at Bognor as they go to last season BOSTIK South Champions Lewes at the Dripping Pan.
In the pick of the BOSTIK South East games, life after Ray Turner starts for Faversham Town as they welcome Haywards Heath Town to Salters Lane. There are derbies elsewhere between Greenwich Borough and Ramsgate; Herne Bay and Cray Wanderers; there’s a battle of the artificial surfaces as Sevenoaks Town host Ashford United, whilst Sittingbourne play Phoenix Sports at Woodstock Park, and Whitstable Town head up the A2 to play VCD Athletic. Elsewhere, Sam Denly takes Hythe Town to Three Bridges.
Its also First Round day in the Senior Trophy as Bearsted vs Kent Football United; Beckenham Town vs Erith Town; Corinthian vs Lordswood; Croydon vs Rusthall; Deal Town vs Hollands & Blair; Glebe vs Fisher; Greenways vs Cray Valley (Paper Mills); Lewisham Borough vs Holmesdale; Lydd Town vs Canterbury City; Punjab United vs Rochester United; Sheppey United vs Chatham Town; Snodland Town vs K Sports; Tunbridge Wells vs AFC Croydon Athletic and Welling Town vs St Peter’s – the highlights? You choose…