Greenie's Friday Preview

Saturday 02nd September 2006

It’s the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup this weekend as so many of our clubs join the hunt for those precious 32 places that Non League football enjoys in Round One of the Greatest Cup Competition in the World come November.

For yours truly – I get a look at Dover for the first time this season as they welcome Bracknell Town to Crabble.

Clive Walker’s side will start as firm favourites as their visitors thus far are at the wrong end of the South and West Division of the Southern League.

They need a good cup run, but when you consider that some of the sides playing will play more Cup ties than the eventual Cup winners, its does put into context just how difficult it is to be one of the lucky 32!

There are two Kent derbies tomorrow and both are intriguing! Thamesmead visit Bourne Park to play Sittingbourne whilst Tunbridge Wells welcome Dartford to the Culvenden Stadium.

Now last season both the Kent League clubs would have fancied their chances of an upset.

This season however, both the Bourne and the Darts have started well, and given that First Round proper day (November 11) just happens to be the day that Princes Park is now due to open… now there’s a dream huh?

Elsewhere Cray Wanderers will be looking to take their impressive League start into their tie at Hayes Lane, Bromley against Walton Casuals.

I spoke to someone in the Cray camp this week and he admitted that he didn’t think the side had played well yet this season without the suspended Leigh Bremner. Probably right, I know for a fact that boss Ian Jenkins will be glad to get him back in the side.

Chatham Town gets arguably the toughest of our Saturday draws as they head west to face Winchester City.

We all know the Hampshire side's pedigree as their FA Vase record states, but as midfielder Darren Smith told me after Mondays draw with Maidstone "We know it’ll be tough but the way we’re playing there’s no reason why we cant got there and get a result!"

Ashford Town welcome Bedfont Green to Homelands after breaking their duck at Hastings on Monday, and if any of our sides are desperate for a cup run its surely Ashford.

It was good to see Tim Thorogood’s side win on the Sussex coast – hopefully it’ll be the kick start they need.

There are four Kent League teams left too – Sevenoaks Town welcome Hampshire club Moneyfields to the County; Cobham provide Slade Green’s opponents at the Small Glen; VCD travel to face Eastbourne on Sunday whilst Hythe welcome VT FC to Reachfields.

On Sunday Maidstone host Burgess Hill Town as seventh play eighth from the Ryman One South. It could be the closest of all the Cup ties this weekend and starts at Bourne Park at 3pm.

In League action, Gravesend & Northfleet fresh from their six points over the Bank Holiday weekend face the long trip to Southport.

Liam Daish’s side sit eighth in the table and a victory in the North West would be very welcome indeed.

Welling United lost 1-0 at Salisbury in Conference South on Friday night and yet again after a disappointing showing at Farnborough on Monday, Adie Pennock must be wondering why his side can win at will on a non Saturday match day!

Over in the Ryman Premier, leaders Tonbridge Angels host Walton and Hersham to Longmead looking to make it five wins in a row. A great start yes! But now the Angels have to push on and consolidate in the coming weeks.

Margate welcome a new look Chelmsford City to Hartsdown Park fresh off the back of their fine start to the season – now if they can just reproduce their road for at Hartsdown everyone will be happy.

Ramsgate come face to face with Horsham the side they piped for last season Ryman One crown.

After their open day win over Heybridge, its no win in the other three matches, and Jimmy Ward will be looking to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Neil Cugley and Folkestone Invicta would just take their first win of the season after Monday’s 5-1 home drubbing by Margate.

Saturday Sport this week as I said earlier sees me heading for Crabble and its one of three Cup ties on the show – Sittingbourne vs Thamesmead and Sevenoaks vs Moneyfields the others.

Theres also full match commentary on the Fleet’s game at Southport on the Radio Kent website from just before 1:00 – note the early kick off!

The Road to Wembley (or is that Cardiff) begins in earnest this weekend – enjoy your football and I’ll speak to you all again in seven days time…