We were left in an unlikely position of having only nine fit players - Hythe Town

BROMLEY were the first side to progress through to the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Semi-Finals after opponents Hythe Town failed to turn up at Hayes Lane tonight.

Bromley, who were knocked out of The FA Carlsberg Trophy in the Third Qualifying Round on Saturday, when they suffered a 4-1 defeat away to their Conference South rivals Ebbsfleet United, confirmed the game was cancelled at 2:20pm this afternoon.

Club secretary, Mr Colin Russell, sent a text message to say: “Game has been cancelled.  Hythe have just forfeited the tie, can’t raise a team tonight.

“Bromley have been given a bye to the semi-final by the Kent FA.”

The Ravens have a 100% home record in the league and thrashed Chelmsford City 5-0 in their last game at Hayes Lane.

Hythe Town, who went down to a 3-2 defeat away to Worthing in the Ryman League Division One South at the weekend, confirmed in a statement that manager Scott Porter had nine players available for the game.

“It is with much regret that Hythe Town FC have withdrawn from tonight’s Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final at Bromley,” said the statement, published on www.hythetownfc.co.uk.

“As those of us that support the side on a regular basis know, the squad has been considerably weakened in the last week or so. 

“With the sudden departure of Ronnie Dolan (to Hastings United), Dave Cook’s injury and the unavailability of Craig Cloke, of the four players Scott has signed to cover the situation, Ashley Miller and Danny Lye are cup-tied for Kent Senior Cup games (having played for Gillingham and Maidstone United respectively).  Kieran Byrne is unavailable due to work commitments and Jordan Miller is also carrying an injury.”

It will be interesting to see whether Byrne and Miller will play for Ashford United in their game at Bromley-based Holmesdale in the Southern Counties East Football League on Tuesday night (7:30pm kick-off) after confirming their unavailability this evening.

The statement added: “Following Saturday’s trip to Worthing, a further five senior players pulled out of tonight’s game last night or this morning due to injury or sickness. This left us in the unexpected and extremely unlikely situation of having only nine fit players, including two of our under 18’s side.

“With the remainder of our under 18’s side out of contact due to school, college and work commitments, the unfortunate decision to forfeit the game had to be made, thus avoiding further costs of those attending the game to play or watch.”

The Kent FA punishes offending clubs with a £250 fine “if any fixture is unfulfilled without good and sufficient reason.”

Mark Goldberg confirmed after Saturday’s game that the timing of the Hythe game was difficult but he had the strength-in-depth to cope.

The Bromley boss said: “I do need to watch who I’m playing on Monday night because to play Saturday and Monday is a tough ask.

“We’ll find out who needs rest and who can play but we’ll still put out a strong enough side as we can to get a result on Monday night but we might involve a few reserve players on Monday.”

There will be two Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final ties played on Tuesday night.

Whitstable Town – who reached The FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round for the first time in their history with their 2-1 win at Ryman Premier League strugglers Carshalton Athletic at the weekend – welcome Maidstone United to The Belmont.

Nicky Southall’s side have been rewarded with a trip to Ryman Premier League side Hendon on their FA Trophy adventure on Sunday 1 December (at Harrow Borough FC).

The Stones went out of the competition after losing 2-1 at home to Conference South leaders Eastleigh.

Tunbridge Wells, who welcome Hanworth Villa to Culverden Stadium in the last 64 of The FA Carlsberg Vase on 7 December, after beating neighbours Crowborough Athletic thanks to Andy Irvine’s winner at the weekend, welcome Conference South Ebbsfleet United in the Kent Senior Cup.

Fleet boss Steve Brown said he will be treating the Kent Senior Cup the respect it deserves.

He said: “Tricky tie. They’ve done ever so well last year reaching the final of The FA Vase.  They get great crowds.

“I will be treating it as a game I’d like to win.  It’s the Kent Senior Cup so therefore I’m not going to make eleven changes. I won’t do that!

“I will see who comes out of Saturday’s game over Bromley, the performance, in terms of injuries.

“I had to bring Dean Rance off because he’s got a very sore ankle. Anthony Cook’s knee is very, very sore with a late challenge at the end. 

“We’ll let them settle down over Sunday and Monday and I’ll pick a team accordingly, but you won’t see wholesale changes.

“I want to send a team down there to get us through to the semi-finals of the competition.”

The other quarter-final tie, between Dartford and Dover Athletic, is scheduled for Tuesday, 3 December, at Princes Park.

Dover Athletic play their Kent rivals four days ahead of their trip to League One side Milton Keynes Dons in The FA Cup Second Round.

Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear said: As a player I won the Kent Senior Cup a number of times and as a manager as well, I’ve won it a number of times.

“Kent football is very important. If clubs want to take it seriously it’s great. If they don’t, it’s up to them, but we’re going to take it as seriously as we can.

“It’s a good opportunity for lads not in the side or coming back from injury to play in.

“As I said to my players, everybody at our club should think they’re a first team player, so whatever side we put out is a first team.”

Looking ahead to locking horns with Tony Burman’s Conference Premier outfit, Kinnear added: “They’re a well-organised side. Tony’s been there for quite a while now and built his side, so we’re looking forward to going to it.

“How they’re taking it, it’s up to them really. I don’t know how they’ll treat the game.

“They’ve got a lot of work to do in that Conference haven’t they? It’s a good draw for us and it’s a nice club to go to.”