Ebbsfleet United will travel the short distance to the Belmont Ground after being paired with Whitstable Town in today’s FA Trophy Round 2 draw. The tie will be played on Saturday, December 14th, kick-off 3.00pm.
Whitstable are currently 19th in the Ryman League Division One South but have beaten both Carshalton Athletic and Hendon away from home in the Trophy this season, as well as Sittingbourne, Potters Bar Town and Hythe Town. They also count Maidstone United as scalps in the Kent Senior Cup.
Although the Belmont has been a regular venue in pre-season friendlies, the Fleet have played only one competitive tie – other than Kent Senior Cup games – against the Oystermen, a 3-0 win in 1957 in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round. The last meeting in the KSC saw Fleet win 5-1 last season, Nathan Elder scoring four. Whitstable won another KSC tie 2-1 at home in 2009.
Managed by ex-Gillingham star Nicky Southall, who also still plays for the side, the Oystermen could also provide potential opposition in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final this season when the draw for that is made.
