Bromley begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday with a trip to Essex to face fellow National League side Braintree Town at Cressing Road in the fourth qualifying round.

After making the National League Play Offs in May The Irons have had a difficult start to this season following the departure of manager Danny Cowley to Lincoln City. Jamie Day began the campaign in charge but was sacked a fortnight ago when former Thurrock boss Hakin Hayrettin took the team over. Braintree picked up a point at home to York City on Saturday leaving them in 21st place with 10 points from 15 games, Hayrettin wasting no time in bringing in several new faces with Football League experience including George Elokobi and Reece Hall-Johnson.

The Iron completed a treble over The Ravens last season as the two sides met in the FA Trophy as well as the league, each game won by a single goal margin 2-1, 1-0 & 1-0 and it will no doubt be a tight affair again this weekend. Bromley will hoping for a longer stay in the competition this year having gone out at the first time of asking to Eastleigh last October.

Unbeaten in four Bromley travel up with renewed confidence, Neil Smith was very pleased with his sides 1-1 draw at home to Lincoln and thought they created enough chances to win it. With Lee Minshull back from injury, plus Academy graduates Jordan Higgs and Daniel Ajakayie fitting in well The Ravens have some more depth to their squad. The sight of Louis Dennis and George Porter warming up last Saturday will have also pleased the fans who will have had their relegation worries eased a little in recent weeks, just in time to concentrate on the FA Cup.

With a place in the first round awaiting the winner and the potential boost to the club’s finances, both teams will be desperate to win and see if they can get a lucky draw against a famous football league side.