It’s one of those weekends when two national Cup competitions overlap – ironically in the Buildbase FA Trophy and the Buildbase FA Vase and let’s not forget that its NON-LEAGUE DAY too. 

Its Preliminary Round day in the Trophy and of the eleven sides involved five are at home whilst six travel with two derbies being the undoubted highlights.

There’s a Swale derby at Salters Lane when Faversham welcome Sittingbourne whilst Ramsgate head to the other end of the county to face Phoenix Sports.

Of the others, Greenwich Borough, Hythe Town and VCD Athletic will all fancy home advantage against Egham Town, FC Romania and Hanwell Town respectively, whilst Herne Bay, Whitstable Town, Sevenoaks Town and Cray Wanderers will all hope that they can get something from ties at Aylesbury, Bedfont Sports, Grays Athletic (on Aveley’s artificial surface) and Canvey Island.

Meanwhile a dozen SCEFL sides fly the flag in the Buildbase FA Vase with the pick of the fixtures being for the division’s top two who both must travel – Beckenham the leaders make the relatively short trip to face Bearsted whilst second placed Chatham Town face a 200-mile round trip to play Sidlesham

The list in full is – AFC Croydon Athletic vs. Fareham Town; Bearsted vs. Beckenham Town; Bedfont & Feltham vs. Erith Town; Corinthian vs. Deal Town;
Newhaven vs. Rusthall; Sheppey United vs. East Preston; Sidlesham vs. Chatham Town; St Panteleimon vs. Cray Valley (at North Greenford United FC); Tunbridge Wells vs. AFC Uckfield Town; Wick vs. Lordswood

Top of the League action undoubtedly is Andy Hessenthaler’s return to Kent management as he takes charge of Dover for the first time second time round at high flying Harrogate Town.  Hessenthaler will know that things must improve and quickly at Crabble and where better than to start than at one of the National League’s teams of the season so far?

Elsewhere its only Bromley who are at home as they welcome Barrow to Hayes Lane whilst Harry Wheeler takes his Maidstone United side to the North West to face AFC Fylde and Darryl McMahon and Ebbsfleet United head to the West Midlands for a date with Solihull Motors.

In National League South, Dartford will look to rid themselves of any FA Cup hangovers with the long trip to face Chippenham Town, whilst Steve King will hope that Welling United’s good recent form continues as the third placed side in the league welcome fifth placed Slough Town to Park View Road in the division’s “Game of the Day!”

Finally, in the BOSTIK Premier, all three of the county’s sides are at home.  Leaders Tonbridge Angels host third placed Bognor Regis Town in that division’s top game whilst Margate in eighth welcome fourth placed Enfield Town to Hartsdown Park.  Meanwhile Neil Cugley’s Folkestone will be hoping that it’s a case of “Home, Sweet Home” after crushing away defeats as fifth place Dorking Wanderers come to Cheriton Road.

Remember that it’s also NON-LEAGUE DAY 2018 – a lot of our clubs will be offering some special deals – please check with the clubs themselves…