Home   Kent   Sport   Article

Dartford and Ebbsfleet United playing for the right to meet Salisbury City in the FA Cup first round proper

Paul Lorraine tackles Dartford's Uche Ibemere Picture: Andy Payton
Paul Lorraine tackles Dartford's Uche Ibemere Picture: Andy Payton

Princes Park is the setting for tonight's decisive FA Cup clash between local rivals Dartford and Ebbsfleet United.

A trip to Salisbury City on November 9 awaits the winners of the fourth qualifying round replay, which is expected to draw another bumper crowd.

The sides played out a 1-1 draw at Stonebridge Road on Saturday. Anthony Cook's 65th-minute strike cancelled out Lee Noble's goal on the stroke of half-time.

Both managers admitted afterwards they hadn't wanted a replay, although Saturday's draw represented a better result for Darts boss Tony Burman.

He was missing five senior players - only one of whom could feature in the replay - and watched Ebbsfleet miss a penalty and then good late chances to put his side out.

Tony Burman
Tony Burman

Burman said: "They’re a decent side and we knew it was going to be tough. I’m absolutely delighted with the application and the way the players performed.

"It’s going to be a tough game again. I’m not sure either of us wanted a replay, although I expect the accountants did from both clubs.

"We’re looking forward to it. The FA Cup is for the players and the supporters.

"They take the limelight from it, they’re in the papers and they’ll be on the radio. They get recognised and it’s all great. They have to look forward to that experience.

"We want them to get their names in the papers, to be the one who’s won the game or scored a goal. You’ve got to really enjoy the FA Cup because it’s a fantastic competition to be in."

Burman's opposite number, Fleet boss Steve Brown, is hoping his players can reproduce their weekend efforts, having gone so close to upsetting their Skrill Premier neighbours.

Steve Brown
Steve Brown

He said: "I certainly wouldn’t count us out because what I’ve seen on Saturday is enough for me to believe we can go there on Tuesday and make a cup upset.

"I saw some of their players walking off and they were on their last legs. They were feeling equally, if not more tired, than my players. They were on the back foot.

"I thought the centre-halves looked tired and I thought a couple of their central midfielders looked tired.

"They’ve had injuries and they’ve had suspensions but equally I’ve got some tired bodies in my dressing-room.

"I didn’t want a replay, if I’m honest, but we’re both going to earn some extra cash out of it."

Dartford centre-back Kenny Clark - a transfer target of Brown's in the summer - may be fit enough to play some part in the replay after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Josh Hill partnered Mat Mitchel-King at Stonebridge Road.

However, centre-forward Jason Prior (ankle) and defender Tyrone Sterling (calf) are both ruled out, while on-loan strikers Matt Godden and Adam Birchall are ineligible.

Ebbsfleet will be missing Shane Huke in the replay after the in-form centre-back pulled up sharply towards the end of Saturday's game.

Huke has suffered a recurrence of the foot injury which plagued him at Dover last season, while Joe Howe (groin) is likely to miss out again.

Tickets for the replay are priced at £15 (adults), £8 (concessions) and £3 (children aged 5-11).

Kick-off at Princes Park is at 7.45pm.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More