Bromley’s FA Trophy campaign begins on Saturday afternoon when they travel to National League South team Dorking Wanderers for a first round tie at Meadowbank Stadium.

This is the first meeting between these two clubs, although Bromley have played the original Dorking FC at the same ground a number of times in the past, including a promotion clinching game for The Ravens back in May 1991. Since then the ground has had a face lift and the pitch is 3G, similar to the one at Hayes Lane, so both sides will be used to the playing conditions.

Wanderers are managed by Marc White and although only being formed in 1999 they have rapidly risen up through the pyramid, moving in to Meadowbank Stadium last season the former home of the now defunct Dorking FC.     

In their first season since promotion Dorking currently sit sixth in NL South with 33 points from 20 matches. Last Saturday they beat Weymouth 1-0 at home thanks to a goal from Jimmy Muitt and they are unbeaten in six matches. The Wanderers defeated Leatherhead 3-0 away in a local derby to reach this stage of the competition last month. 

Bromley go into the game sitting third in the National League with 44 points from 25 games played, last weekend they won 2-1 at Chesterfield with second half  goals from Ben Williamson and an own goal from a Luke Coulson cross.

Manager Neil Smith would normally use the game to give some squad players game time, but with so many players injured they will probably have to go with whoever is available.        

This could well be a tricky tie for Smith’s side against a team in form near the top of the division below and they will have to be on their game if they hope to progress in the tournament they reached the final off two years ago.