Fleet land the Blue Square Premier high-flyers in cup draw – meaning a return to Kingsmeadow for Paul Lorraine and Derek Duncan…
Ebbsfleet United were drawn away at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup First Round draw live from Wembley Stadium. The Fleet were picked by DJ Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) live on ITV after their escapades so far in the competition had been broadcast. The match is due to be played on November 6 (depending on what happens to groundsharers Kingstonian’s league game scheduled for the same date).
It will be a disappointing draw for the Fleet who would have hoped for either a home draw or plum tie away at one of the lower Football League’s big guns. The tie at AFC Wimbledon, top of the Blue Square Premier, will see returns to their former club for Paul Lorraine (scorer of two goals so far in Fleet’s cup run) and Derek Duncan. AFC progressed courtesy of a scrappy 1-0 win at Basingstoke yesterday.
But with the Fleet still protecting an unbeaten away record and 11 games without defeat in all, Liam Daish will no doubt fancy his charges can produce a cup upset.
The Fleet have played only one cup tie against the Dons, a 1-0 defeat in the FA Trophy that was later awarded to the Fleet after AFC had fielded an ineligible player. The ‘old’ Wimbledon, of course, have previously met the Fleet at this stage in 1965, when the Dons ran out 4-1 winners at Stonebridge Road, and also in 1978 when again the south London club progressed at Plough Lane after a replay. We also met in the 4th Qualifying Round in 1953, the Dons again winning at Plough Lane.
