The first county cups fixtures for the 2013-14 season have been released, and have revealed some intriguing early cup encounters.
The Kent Senior Trophy, Intermediate Cup and Challenge Shield sit below only the Senior Cup in terms of level of football and feature some big names in non-league football from across the county.
Kent FA Senior Trophy sponsored by Spire Alexandra Hospital
This year’s competition will see all first round ties will played on Saturday 5th October, with the second round played on Saturday 30th November.
Lordswood, last year’s beaten finalists, will look to go one better than last season when they open their campaign at Lewisham Borough. The winner of that tie will host the victors of Orpington and Fleet Leisure for a place in the quarter finals.
2012 winners Hollands & Blair return to the competition their Senior Cup run ended against Ramsgate after drawing 4-4 after extra time and going out on penalties. They start their Senior Trophy competition at home to Lydd Town, with the winners travelling to either Greenwich Borough or Glebe in the next round.
Current Intermediate Challenge Shield holders Greenways FC enter the competition by virtue of their final win in April, and will travel to Sevenoaks Town in their first fixture in the Senior Trophy.
Kent FA Intermediate Cup sponsored by Darenth Print & Design
Holders Tonbridge Angels, winners Intermediate Cup winners 5 times in the last 9 years, face Lewisham Borough at Longmead in the opening round.
The luck of the draw sees last year’s beaten finalists Hollands & Blair have a bye into the second round, where they will host the winners of Bridon Ropes and Fleet Leisure.
Six of the sides in this year’s competition are under-21 teams including Corinthians who face Meridian VP, and Ramsgate who have a trip to Welling United in the first round.
The dates for this competition have yet to be confirmed but will be released as soon as possible.
Kent FA Intermediate Challenge Shield sponsored by Kent Air Ambulance
The first round of this competition will be on Saturday 28th September and the second round Saturday 26th October.
Last season’s beaten finalists Milton & Fulston will start their campaign at Ide Hill, with the winners travelling to Chipstead who received a bye in the opening round.
Newcomers Faversham Harlequin, promoted to this competition after winning last season’s Saturday Junior Cup A, face a trip to Bromley Green, with either 2007 Shield winners Stansfeld (Oxford & Bermondsey) or Guru Nanak lying in wait for the victors.
Last year’s Junior Cup A finalists AFC Mottingham are at home to Snodland Town, with the winners rewarded with a home tie against Bexlians, while Fleetdown United will host the winners of Sheppey & Sheerness United and Tudor Sports.
The fixtures for the Kent FA Senior Cup will be released on Wednesday 14th August at 12.30pm, with fixtures for the other cups including women’s, youth and veterans cups released throughout August and September.
For enquiries regarding County Cup fixtures or cup administration, contact Dwayne Ellis on [email protected].