Sevenoaks face "stern test" against the Fleet - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Sevenoaks Town face the daunting prospect of playing Gravesend & Northfleet in the second qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup at Greatness Park on Wednesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Graham Logsdon’s side received a bye into this round after Crawley Town withdrew from the competition, but defeated Horley Town 4-2 at a wet Greatness Park last month.

The Fleet, meanwhile, have romped to victories over Chatham Town (9-0) and Erith & Belvedere (6-0) and will be favourites to meet the winner of Tonbridge Angels or Bromley who play at the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Thursday night, in the next round away from home.

Logsdon is, however, missing two key players for the game against the Fleet, with goalkeeper Shane Blackman and central defender Luke Stratford both carrying injuries.

“It is daunting, we know that,” Logsdon said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their big game.

“We’ve had a good start in the league. I wasn’t at the John Ullman Cup game against Dulwich Hamlet, which we lost 4-2, but we had a guy sent off and that possibly effected the game.”

Sevenoaks are currently in third place in the under 18 central division of the Kent Youth League, and are just three points behind leaders Maidstone United with a game in hand.

“In terms of the league we are third, but this FA Youth Cup is going to be a test, that’s for sure,” said Logsdon.

“It’s commonly known they are the strongest side in the league, and so they should be, with academy players.

Kent clubs playing FA Youth Cup second qualifying round ties:

Ramsgate v Whyteleafe - Wednesday 11 October
Sevenoaks Town v Gravesend & Northfleet - Wednesday 11 October
Tonbridge Angels v Bromley - Thursday 12 October
Waltham Forest v Thamesmead Town - Thursday 12 October
Lewes v Maidstone United - Friday 13 October

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Admission charge: £2