Plenty of Kent clubs’ dreams of a FA Cup run continue this weekend as the competition enters the third qualifying round stage.

The tie of the weekend comes from Thanet where the luck of the draw and brought together two local sides. Herne Bay make the short trip along the North Kent coast to Hartsdown Park to take on a Margate team who currently sit in 7^th in the Bostik Premier. The Gate won in midweek to elevate themselves into the playoff places whilst Herne Bay also come into the game in good form, having beaten Ashford 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere in the competition Dartford- who have had an impressive start to the season- travel to Suffolk to face Needham Market. Despite Tony Burman’s side losing their second game of the season last weekend, they still sit in 5^th position in the National League South, just three points of first, making them favourites for Saturday’s match.

Also playing for the chance to reach the final qualifying round are Phoenix Sports who travel to Enfield Town and Folkestone Invicta, who welcome Aylesbury United to the Cheriton Road Sports Ground.

In league play, Dover Athletic could go top of the National League on Saturday if they beat struggling Solihull Moors on Saturday. Chris Kinnear’s side currently sit third in non-league’s top tier, just one point behind first placed Sutton.

Ebbsfleet United face a much tougher challenge this weekend when they welcome Halifax to Stonebridge Road. Whilst the Fleet won only their second game of the season last weekend at Boreham Wood, their visitors have won six of their 12 games this season, putting them level on points with Dover in the playoff positions.

Also in the highest level of non-league football, Bromley and Maidstone face very different tests. Whilst Bromley host Tranmere at Hayes Lane, Maidstone face one of their longest away trips of the season to Barrow- who sit six points behind them in the table.

Tonbridge Angels are, as a result of the FA Cup fixtures, the only Kent side playing in the Bostik Premier this weekend. Steve McKimm’s side travel to playoff chasing Kingstonian on Saturday afternoon knowing a win could send them into the top six positions themselves.

There’s a full schedule of games this weekend in the Bostik South but the highlight of these games comes at Woodstock Park where Sittingbourne host Hythe Town as fourth host eighth.

At the other end of the table, Faversham will be looking to improve on their rough start to the season in the early kick off against Guernsey. Ramsgate, who have also struggled in their opening few matches, travel to Carshalton and Ashford United.

Also in step four of non-league, VCD Athletic travel to East Grinstead whilst Thamesmead host Greenwich Borough and Cray Wanders make the trip to Horsham.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden (main), Wez Filtness (Central) and Les Biggs (final)