The draw for the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup has been made, and for the two remaining SCEFL sides in the competition, the draw has produced mouth-watering but incredibly frustrating ties for both.
On the plus side both Chatham Town and Sheppey United have been drawn against National League South sides, but on the minus side, fans of both clubs wont under current regulations be able to watch the ties as both Kent sides have to travel to Havant & Waterlooville and Eastbourne Borough respectively meaning that both ties will be played behind closed doors!
Another group of fans missing out will be those of Ebbsfleet United – who also missed out on their penalty shoot out win over Hastings at the weekend at Stonebridge Road.
The Fleet have been drawn at home again but this time its another National League South Club as Chippenham Town will travel to North Kent.
The counties two other National League sides who won through, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels, will both travel with the Stones heading to Dorset to face Wimborne Town of the Southern League Premier South.
Whilst the Angels head for Chichester City of the Isthmian South East League and famously last season reached the Second Round proper of the competition by receiving a bye in the First Round.
The counties last two representatives are the two Crays, Kevin Watson’s Paper Mills will fancy their chances of a home upset against Isthmian North side Aveley.
Whilst Tony Russell takes the Wanderers on their travels again as this time they head West to face Bristol Manor Farm of the Southern League Division One South.
Bristol Manor Farm v Cray Wanderers
Chichester City v Tonbridge Angels
Cray Valley v Aveley
Eastbourne Borough v Sheppey
Ebbsfleet United v Chippenham Town
Havant & Waterlooville v Chatham
Wimborne Town v Maidstone
These ties will be played midweek next week – week commencing October 12th