In the week that the early stages of the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase have all been announced, news has come through that supporters are now likely to be allowed into seeing the start of the Greatest Cup Competition in the World after all.

It’s a move that will help the counties smaller clubs who are involved in these early stages as this season’s competition has seen prize money decreased as the Football Association bids to fill a budget gap said by some to be in the excess of £300 million in funding’s.

The decision to allow fans to attend the FA Cup ties will help, but surely what will not help is the fact that the qualifying rounds are being condensed into the same length of time as normal with the First Round proper – the point that all clubs entering this early, dream of being one of the just thirty two clubs from outside the SKYBet Football League to join the “big” boys of League One and League Two.

There will also be no replays in this seasons competition and whilst at this early stage, some may see that as a bonus that all ties are played to a conclusion at the first attempt, further down the competitions “road to Wembley” it could deprive smaller clubs the possibility enjoyed by, for example, Shrewsbury Town last season when they had a replay at Anfield against eventual Premier League champions Liverpool.

So just thirty-one days after Arsenal won the competition for a record fourteenth time on August 1^st, we go again with the Extra Preliminary Round – on Tuesday 1^st September.

The highlight of the draw from Kent’s perspective will be Danny Kedwell’s return to the competition’s start with Holland & Blair and their trip to play Colliers Wood United; Corinthian – who still have to fond out where and when last season FA Vase Semi Finals will be played – welcome Sheerwater and there are several all SCEFL ties. 

In full the “Kent” draw is; Abbey Rangers  v Welling Town; AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Sutton Common Rovers; Bearsted  v  Peacehaven & Telscombe;
Colliers Wood United  v  Hollands & Blair; Corinthian  v  Sheerwater; East Preston  v  Chatham Town; Fisher  v  Horsham YMCA; Glebe  v  Whyteleafe;
Guildford City  v  Canterbury City; Kennington  v  Erith & Belvedere;  Knaphill  v  Deal Town; K Sports  v  Steyning Town Community; Lancing  v  Phoenix Sports; Langney Wanderers  v  Tower Hamlets; Lordswood  v  Hanworth Villa; Mile Oak  v  Beckenham Town; Sheppey United  v  Sutton Athletic; Stansfeld v Punjab United and Tunbridge Wells  v  Erith Town

The Preliminary Round draw has also been made – with ties played over the weekend of September 12^th and 13^th – with the remaining of our Isthmian South teams joining the competition.

With so many either/or’s in the draw, the clear cut ties include Hastings v Herne Bay; Cray Valley v VCD Athletic; Ramsgate v Chipstead; Carshalton Athletic v Whitstable Town; Hythe Town v South Park and Ashford United v Whitehawk.

Of the “might be’s”, amongst the most intriguing are the winners of Knaphill or Deal will entertain Sittingbourne; if Sheppey United can see off Sutton Athletic they will host Isthmian Leaguers Uxbridge and Faversham will welcome the winners of the all Sussex clash between Saltdean United and Eastbourne Town.