It may only just feel like Manchester United beat City at Wembley to lift the Emirates FA Cup, but the draw for this seasons competition has already taken place and six clubs from West Kent have found out who they will be playing in the Extra Preliminary Round.
The fixtures, which will be played on Saturday 3rd August, will see Sevenoaks Town’s new manager Marcel Nimani take on his old club Whitstable Town at Greatness Park, where the winning club will take £1,125 from this years prize fund.
On hearing the news Marcel commented: “My first game, a good icebreaker. I left Whitstable on great terms, I spent two years there where I learned a great deal, and I met some great people.
“It’ll be a very competitive game to start the season with, but that’s what were here for, to play these big games. It’s a tough draw but one that I’m looking forward to.”
The reward for Sevenoaks will be another home tie against Leatherhead in the next round.
Corinthian have a home tie against free-spending AFC Whyteleafe from the Combined Counties Premier Division South, whilst Tunbridge Wells, also at home, will take on Farnham Town from the Isthmian League South Central, the latter tie winners will play Sittingbourne at home.
Two all Southern Counties East Premier Division ties will see Larkfield & New Hythe will host Kennington, and Snodland Town on the road away to Punjab United.
And finally, Rusthall will make the lengthy trip to Woking where they will face Sheerwater FC from the Combined Counties Premier Division South, with a potential tie against Snodland Town at home in the next round.
Winning clubs in the Extra Preliminary Round will take home £1,125, whilst losing clubs will receive £375. In the Preliminary these amounts go up to £1,444 and £481 respectively.
All West Kent teams have been drawn apart at this stage of the competition and we wish them all the very best as they get their Emirates FA Cup season going.
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – Saturday 3rd August: Corinthian v AFC Whyteleafe; Larkfield & New Hythe v Kennington; Punjab United v Snodland Town; Sevenoaks Town v Whitstable Town; Sheerwater v Rusthall; Tunbridge Wells v Farnham Town.
