The draw for the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Trophy has thrown the remaining Kent sides a couple of amazing chances, a long potential trip North and given one of our Cup heroes the chance to make the last 16.
Pride of place goes to Nicky Southall’s Whitstable Town, who following Sunday’s win at Ryman Premier side Hendon, will now welcome Steve Brown’s Ebbsfleet United to the Belmont in arguably one of the biggest games that the ground has ever staged.
The 2008 winners will travel as heavy favourites but Nicky Southall and his side have already gone further in the competition this season than they club ever had.
Elsewhere if Tommy Warrilow and the Tonbridge Angels gain revenge for their FA Cup exit at St Albans, they have arguably drawn the plumb tie as the winners will welcome Cambridge United in the Second Round proper.
Dartford meanwhile have definitely drawn the short straw! If their injury ravaged side can get past Forest Green in Tuesday’s replay, they’ll be travelling again – this time to face Northern Premier League side Chorley.
Whilst Tuesday’s replay with East Thurrock United is somewhat of a distraction for Chris Kinnear and Dover Athletic ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie at MK Dons, the Dover boss will have a glint in his eye after seeing this draw.
If Dover can get past the Ryman Premier side, they will host Leamington or Northwich Victoria which will surely give the men from Crabble a huge chance of progressing.
Ties to be played over the weekend of December 14th
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round Draw
1 Staines Town or Luton Town v Wrexham
2 Whitehawk v Basingstoke Town or Havant & Waterlooville
3 Eastleigh v Gateshead
4 Barnet v Coalville Town or Grimsby Town
5 Barrow v Maidenhead United
6 Gosport Borough v Nuneaton Town
7 Tonbridge Angels or St Albans City v Cambridge United
8 Guiseley v Bradford Park Avenue
9 Aldershot Town or Weston Super Mare v Worcester City or AFC Telford United
10 Tamworth v Boston United
11 North Ferriby United v Woking
12 Whitstable Town v Ebbsfleet United
13 Leek Town v Hungerford Town
14 East Thurrock United or Dover Athletic v Leamington or Northwich Victoria
15 Braintree Town v Lincoln City
16 Chorley v Dartford or Forest Green Rovers