After a mixed weekend for Kent’s teams last week, the upcoming fixtures allow plenty of opportunities for our local clubs to kick-start their 2017.
After Dover successfully returned to the National League playoff places last week, they take a week away from the pitch. However, there has been plenty of activity off the field of play with winger James Canton joining Chris Kinnear’s side. They will host VCD Athletic at Crabble on Monday in the Kent Senior Cup.
Elsewhere in the top level of non-league troubled Maidstone host playoff chasing Aldershot whilst Bromley are also at home against fellow mid table side Torquay in one of Kent Sport News’ featured matches of the weekend.
Another featured game on Saturday is Welling’s FA Trophy third round tie against high flying Lincoln City. You can read the full preview for the game at Park View Road here.
Much like Dover, Margate are out of action on Saturday in the National League South. In yet another game being covered by KSN this this weekend Ebbsfleet United will play Concord Rangers at Stonebridge Road. They’ll be without defender Reiss Greenidge and striker Charlie Sheringham who have been sent on loan to Hemel Hempstead.
Dartford are only one point behind second placed Ebbsfleet and they will welcome Struggling Whitehawk to Princes Park. The Darts could celebrate their fifth consecutive win with three points on Saturday. KSN will also be at the game to see if Tony Burman’s men can extend their record.
Tonbridge Angels travel to Canvey Island as their playoff search continues. Their second trip away this week occurs on Wednesday when they make the long trip to Leiston. Angels Boss Steve McKimm said of the two fixtures: “Canvey will be a difficult game as it’s not been the happiest of hunting grounds for us recently, while the trip to Leiston speaks for itself; they are in 4th place on merit.”
In the same division, Folkestone Invicta will travel to South East London to face Kingstonian, who lie five points clear of the Kent side.
There are two featured games from the Ryman South this weekend. Fifth placed Hythe will follow up their 2-1 loss at Hastings by welcoming Godalming town to Reachfields whilst Sittingbourne host Cray Wanderers. Neutrals will be hoping for an identical match to the opening game of the season, where both teams played out to a 3-3 draw at Cray.
Elsewhere, struggling Chatham host fellow relegation contenders Three Bridges, Hearne Bay play Tooting and Mitcham in Thanet and Ramsgate go overseas to play Guernsey whilst Chatham vs Sittingbourne will be played out on Monday evening.
There are also seven matches in the Southern Counties East Premier Division. Deal travel to Croydon following their surprise cup result against Sevenoaks. They’ll look to bring that form into the league after falling to third from bottom last week and manager Derek Hares is aware of how vital that result could be: “I am confident we have enough ability in the side to stay up, especially after the way we played against Sevenoaks.”
Elsewhere Canterbury host Fisher, Bearstead travel to Crowborough, Lordswood welcome Corinthian to the Lordswood Leisure centre and Rochester face Sevenoaks in another all- Kent fixture.