Greenie's Friday Preview: On the FA Cup trail

And so another FA Cup round already and it’s only the middle of September! Its "only" the First Qualifying Round this weekend, but already there are some fascinating ties, as our Non League sides dream of emulating the exploits of Folkestone and Ramsgate from last season and reach the First Round proper in November.

One club dreaming of that particular weekend already are Dartford who this weekend "entertain" Hastings at Thurrock.

You see if its escaped your attention, November 11th is the day when Dartford finally do actually go home, and as someone said to me last weekend when I saw the darts surrender to Hastings in the League, "It’ll just be like us to blow the opening of Princes by getting into the FA Cup"!

But put into that equation a home tie against a League club, and not only would the club get the full house that many believe they’ll get anyway, who knows if the SKY cameras may come a calling. Realistically though it’ll have to be a lot better performance from the Darts if they are to make Monday’s draw.

I’m off to Homelands tomorrow for the only Kent "derby" in the round as Tony Dolby takes the Angels to face Tim Thorogood’s side who may well have turned a corner! Lets face it they’ve won the last three now following the midweek League Cup win over Bromley.

But more encouragingly for Thorogood will be the "Main man" missing from the Angels line up. Striker John has already scored goals for fun this season but is suspended tomorrow, which I just wonder could add something to the Ashford hope.

The corresponding League fixture last year was a tense five-goal thriller, which the Angels edged without really having to break sweat. Tomorrow I think could be just as tight!

The last two Kent League sides left in both face daunting ties. VCD face the unenviable task of a trip to the New Forest to face Bashley who don’t get the biggest gates. Tough rewards for VCD really after their fine replay win over Eastbourne in the last round.

Whitstable meanwhile welcome Ryman Premier league side Croydon Athletic to the Belmont, and if they play to their potential, maybe just maybe we could get the "giant killing" that the Cup is so famous for! Anyway good luck to both clubs…

Elsewhere there are home ties for three of the remaining six clubs involved. Sittingbourne welcome Hassocks to Bourne Park and after the "fun" they’ve had in the past week with the lights at the ground all revenue won will be gratefully received.

It wasn’t that long ago after all that the Bourne was only a few moments away from knocking out Conference side Hereford in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

Margate must put a "disappointing" week behind them – I’m still in shock after the 1-6 pasting at Boreham Wood last Saturday, so I feel for any Gate fans who actually saw t!!!

The visitors to Hartsdown are Fleet Town already on their third trip to Kent this season. So far they’ve lost a five-goal thriller at Maidstone and won by the only goal at Crabble.

What manager Trott will obviously desire for the game is a place in the velvet bag on Monday morning – what he wont want is an awkward midweek replay!

The three sides who travel all face awkward opponents – none more so that Neil Cugley and Folkestone Invicta.

Struggling at the foot of the Ryman Premier the Cup could provide a distraction for the Amber and Black Army especially given the signing this week of Jimmy Corbett – can't remember if either of the Mark’s (Saunders or Patterson) would have played with a young Corbett at Priestfield!

Their trip to Whyteleafe of Ryman One South sees them up against a side I heard last season described as "no better than my pub team", but also a side that I saw so nearly beat promoted Horsham over Easter!

Another intriguing tie in prospect then – Invicta’s appetite would have been wetted last season by that First Round trip to Chester; they do though say its harder second time around!

Maidstone could themselves upset the form book as they travel to Middlesex to play the "other" Ashford Town, who haven’t won in the League since the opening day and who lost 1-5 at Hayes Lane seven days ago.

The Stones will take a good support with them I’m sure, but I wonder if they’ll have enough to get through.

Knowing Lloyd Hume he’ll have his side fired up enough to give a real good showing.

Ian Jenkins and his Cray side should really have been facing up to a Kent derby tomorrow, and doesn’t Chatham boss Phil Miles know it as he’s still reeling after his side lost a three goal lead at Winchester in the last round to lose 3-4.

Tomorrow I’m sure that messers Jenkins and Francis will make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to them.

Cray of course have never reached the competition proper, and got the closest they’ve ever got last season when they lost in the Fourth Qualifying Round to Grays (of whom more in a moment) – is this to be the Wands season finally I wonder?

The final FA Cup tie takes place on Sunday as Ramsgate travel to face Kingstonian at Kingmeadow.

With their hosts mid table in the Ryman One South table, Jimmy Ward will be hoping that the midweek League Cup win over Margate can fire his charges back onto the Cup trail.

Last seasons First Round trip to Nuneaton was the springboard for the Rams title charge and Ward will be hoping for something similar this time…

Gravesend are in Conference action at Stonebridge Road against Exeter, and Liam Daish will be looking to not only extend their unbeaten run but also build on what was truly a great performance on Tuesday night when Grays’ 100 pct away record was not only taken but believe me when I say it was ripped apart!

Rarely have I seen the Fleet look so comfortable against supposed better opposition, and if they can get a result tomorrow, they really will have put a marker down to the rest of the Conference that you come to Northfleet at your peril!

Finally in Conference South Adie Pennock will be looking I suppose for exactly the same as Liam Daish – for a performance to begin to rebuild the ramparts at Park View Road to make it the fortress it was last season.

Tuesday’s draw at Eastbourne Borough was the first midweek away point that Welling United have collected so far, and Pennock will be looking to build on it tomorrow when Sutton come a calling.

Whilst on the subject of Pennock, I wonder how the Wings boss would have taken the news that one of his supposed summer targets (Paul Booth) is being rumoured to be being released by Lewes – as incidentally is former Margate and Gravesend man Jay Saunders (thanks to the "Lewes Today" website for that one http://www.lewestoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?ectionID=510&ArticleID=1768763

Welling come in for the Second Qualifying Round draw on Monday morning – just how many of our other clubs I wonder will be there with them…

Enjoy your football and good luck to all of our clubs involved, and I’ll see you at Homelands tomorrow…

Cheers until next weekend from Greenie Towers!