The draw for the First-Round proper of the Emirates FA Cup was made on Sunday afternoon and has given two of our six non-League sides in the draw dream ties, whilst handing Gillingham a real potential banana skin at the home of one of the biggest Giantkillers in the competitions history.
The highlight undoubtedly is the tie handed to Cray Valley PM. Boss Steve McKimm has bemoaned to KSN this season about the number of away ties his side has faced in this competition on more than one occasion.
But this time, even the Valley boss surely will not complain as despite being away again, this time they face the four-mile trip from Badgers to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic! A marvellous draw for McKimm’s side and the true magic of the competition.
And there will be some of that magic too at Hayes Lane as after yesterday’s 3-2 win over Wealdstone, Bromley face a home tie against League One Blackpool.
Our “Bromley man” Colin Head reacted, “Magic draw but a tough one. Really happy BIG time; whenever we get a League side they always are in form, but we are at home!” Can this be the year that Bromley get to the second round for the first time since 1945? Colin’s answer, “Maybe!”
From the joy of Cray Valley and Bromley, there must have been cries of “Oh No!” echoing around Priestfield as Gillingham were handed an away trip to National League North side Hereford who are the modern day club of former League side Hereford United – the side that dumped Newcastle out of the FA Cup in 1972 as a Non-League.
Gills fans will remember their last trip to Edgar Street which was a 6-1 win in September 2011. That said it was just Gillingham’s second win at the ground in fourteen trips! And in their only previous meeting, the Bulls won 1-0 in the First Round of 1974… A potential daunting start then for the new manager!
Our other two non-League side guaranteed a First-Round place will have mixed views about their draws as both have missed out on a League club and both face winners of a replay.
For Ramsgate though, Southwood will host a game in the competition proper for the first time ever as either Hemel Hempstead Town or Woking will provide the opposition in the Rams first First Round game since Jim Wards side lost 1-0 at Nuneaton back in 2005.
Maidstone’s reward for their second successive win at Torquay will be on their travels again as they will travel to face the winners of the replay between Braintree Town and Chesham United for a place in Round Two for the fourth time in the last seven years.
We have two sides who face Fourth Qualifying Round replays on Tuesday, but the prize for both teams is amazing – a home tie in the First Round against a League Two side.
Sheppey United are the lowest ranked side left in the competition and if Ernie Batten’s side can beat National League Billericay Town at Holm Park on Tuesday night, Gillingham’s Saturday conqueror’s Walsall will head to the Island along with surely the TV cameras as well!
Ebbsfleet United will head to their replay at Slough Town desperate not be the subject of another upset as they travel to the National League South side in midweek as the winners will host League Two Grimsby Town.
Ties will be played – quite aptly – over the weekend of Guy Fawkes Day – November 3, 4, 5 and 6.