Bromley start their FA Cup campaign on Saturday as they entertain fellow National League side Eastleigh at Hayes Lane, hoping to make it through to the first round proper for the sixth time under Mark Goldberg.

Coming in at the fourth qualifying round is unfamiliar territory for The Ravens having started the FA Cup as early as August in the past and more recently the second qualifying round in mid-September.

This was one of the toughest draws The Ravens could have got with The Spitfires in good form under new manager Chris Todd, having picked up an impressive point at Cheltenham last Saturday they will be a formidable prospect for the injury hit home team.

Ben May, Alex Wall, Alan Julian, Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Max Porter were all missing last week and there was no expectation of speedy returns for any of the unfortunate players.

The two sides are familiar foes having both played in Conference South together for eight seasons prior to Eastleigh beating Bromley to the league title in 2013/11 and then going on to reach the promotion play offs to the Football league last term.

The Spitfires have the upper hand historically in these fixtures, although when Bromley have triumphed over their full time opponents from Hampshire it’s been in some style.

In the league this season they have remarkably similar records with Bromley on 30 points from 18 games and Eastleigh on 28 points from 17, but the visitors have the better current form.

Another big crowd is expected at the historic ground for what should prove to be a close fought match between two good sides with the added spice that comes with an FA Cup tie and the incentive of a place in the first round.

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden.