On Wednesday evening Ebbsfleet United host Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup Quarter Finals.
Originally, the tie was scheduled to be played at Bromley but, with building work in progress at Hayes Lane, the two teams and the Kent F.A. agreed to switch the tie to the Kuflink Stadium, Northfleet.
It has been a difficult season for Ebbsfleet in the National League having won just one league game all season. However they have drawn four of their last six matches, including a nil-nil at Rochdale on Saturday. They now appear to have resolved some of their defensive frailties after conceding four, three times in a row in December.
Meanwhile, Bromley have settled in Sky Bet League Two and are in thirteenth place in the table, nine points adrift of the play-offs. On Saturday, they visited MK Dons and came home with all three points, courtesy of a goal scored by Ben Thompson.
To get to this stage in the Kent Senior Cup, both teams had byes in the first round followed by three-one home wins in the second. Alex Giles gave a young Gillingham team an early lead at Ebbsfleet but Greg Cundle levelled before half time.
Jephte Tanga was introduced by the Fleet for the second period and was brought down in the penalty area. He took the responsibility, himself, and he converted from the spot. Then, seven minutes later, he scored again to ensure victory.
Youthful Bromley took on Dartford and all four goals were headers scored in the first half. Ravens’ Centre back Charlie Paye nodded home in the tenth and thirteenth minutes before George Whitefield pulled one back six minutes later. Emmanuel Deh added a third for the hosts eight minutes before half time and that concluded the scoring.
Although neither team will be prioritising this tournament, It is likely that the managers may take the opportunity to give some of their fringe players, or personnel coming back from injury, some playing time or give their younger players an opportunity to get experience of competitive men’s football.
Tonbridge Angels will be monitoring the outcome with interest as they will be visiting the victors in the semi-finals.