Fans of North Kent derbies are certainly getting their fill as a third Fleet-Dartford game in the space of just over a month looms large over the horizon.
Inevitably, the Kent Senior Cup provides a somewhat lower-key affair than the two Vanarama National League South clashes as the Darts return to the Kuflink Stadium as reigning champions of Kent courtesy of their hold on the Senior Cup.
And the lineups are going to look a little different, too, with Dennis Kutrieb confirming his likelihood to potentially blood some academy players and the visitors are expected to do similar, alongside a number of first-teamers in need of game time. So with reduced admission tomorrow night (online tickets are available here, or you can pay at the ticket windows on the night), this is a good opportunity to see some of the Fleet’s most promising youngsters in action alongside any of the senior squad that might also be called upon.
Fleet’s Academy side are currently third in the National Youth Alliance U19s league, with just one league defeat this season, while the Darts’ youngsters have a similar single loss to sit fifth in the higher NLFA South Division.
This will be Fleet’s first Kent Senior Cup tie at home since Bromley earned a single-goal victory in the 2017/18 season.
Dartford have won two consecutive Kent Senior Cups, either side of the abandoned season in 2020/21, defeating Folkestone Invicta in May – Invicta, of course, the side who knocked the Fleet out on their way to last season’s final.
Fleet’s last triumph in the county cup came in 2014 but there are still three games for the winners of Tuesday night’s tie to play before they can lift any local silverware.
And the winners of this Second Round tie will host Welling United in the quarter-finals, with Ramsgate, Margate, Corinthian and Cray Valley PM having also booked their place in the last eight so far.
• Please note that the Swanscombe End and Old Stand will not be open tomorrow evening. The Main Stand and the Plough End will both be fully open and there is no segregation in place so supporters of both clubs may use our Hospitality Lounge bar or the Social Club bar.
• Car Park C at Ebbsfleet International Station will be open as usual for football parking at a cost of £3.
