Ebbsfleet United have been drawn at home to Sheppey United in the first round of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup. The winners will be away to either Sittingbourne or Ramsgate in the second round.

The first round is scheduled for Tuesday 4th or Wednesday 5th October and the second round is scheduled for Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th November – but these dates have not yet been agreed by the clubs. The final is earmarked for May 1st but, again, this is not confirmed as yet.

Sheppey, who this season are competing in the Southern Counties East League after being promoted from the Kent Invicta League, were regular former opponents of Northfleet United and Gravesend & Northfleet. They are the current holders of the Kent Senior Trophy and will be competing in the Senior Cup for the first time in several years.

They are managed by former Fleet player Ernie Batten, who turned out at Stonebridge Road in the Eighties. The last competitive game between ourselves and The ‘Ites was back in 1989.