FA Cup Second Qualifying Round draw

Monday 18th September 2006

The second qualifying round draw of the FA Cup has just been made at Soho Square, writes Stephen McCartney.

Two Kent sides that reached the first round proper last season, play each other at the Buzzlines Stadium on 30 September.
Folkestone Invicta, whose cup hopes were ended at Chester City on 5November 2005, welcome a Welling United side that lost at Huddersfield Town a day later.

Ramsgate, who reached the first round proper for the first time in 50 years last November before losing at Nuneaton Borough, have been handed a home tie against recent FA Cup heroes, Yeading.

Whitstable Town, the only Kent League side left in the competition, could welcome their Ryman Premier League neighbours Margate to the Belmont. But Robin Trott’s side need to win their replay at Fleet Town tomorrow night.

Ryman League Division One South side Sittingbourne travel to Champion Hill to play a side two leagues above them, Fisher Athletic.

Tonbridge Angels, who knocked Ashford Town out of the competition on Saturday at the Homelands, have been handed a home tie against Banbury United.

If Cray Wanderers win their replay against Winchester City at Hayes Lane tomorrow night, they will be at home to either Molesey or Leatherhead.

Bromley and Dover Athletic travel to Lowestoft Town and Thurrock respectively.

The matches take place on Saturday 30 November, and clubs will bank £3,750 in prize money if they win.

EXCLUSIVE www.kentishfootball.co.uk PLAYER INTERVIEWS:

Tonbridge Angels’ striker Andy Martin is looking forward to welcoming Banbury United to the Betterview Longmead Stadium in the FA Cup second qualifying round on 30 September.

The Welshman, 26, netted two goals in the Angels’ 3-1 win at Ryman League Division One South neighbours Ashford Town on Saturday.

The Ryman Premier League club are desperate to improve on last season’s FA Cup run, which saw them lose 3-0 at Worcester City in the third qualifying round.

“The manager (Tony Dolby) was quick to stress before the (Ashford) game that he wants a good cup run,” he said.

“The club wants a good cup run, which obviously brings a lot of revenue to the club but more importantly it brings the standing of the football club up.

“If you can go as far as you can and maybe all the way to a Football League club, you never know you could end up on television and get the club a good reputation.”

Another striker who netted a brace in the first qualifying round, Mo Takaloo, expects Ramsgate to reach the first round proper again.

Takaloo, 26, scored two stunning goals as Jim Ward’s side won 2-1 at Kingstonian yesterday to take his tally up to six goals for the season.

But Takaloo missed out on the Thanet’s side’s cup exploits last season as he was playing for Maidstone United.

“Last season when I was at Maidstone these lads at Ramsgate had a great run, got to the first round proper,” he said.

“It’s so weird. The belief in them getting there again is just 100% belief that we’re going to get there again and draw a big club and that’s what our aim is – to get as much money for Ramsgate as possible.

”We aren’t the best paid club in the Ryman Prem but because we’re all mates and play together, we’re going to do as well for Ramsgate as we can.”