The draw for the Third Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy has been made, and just as with recent Emirates FA Cup draws, it’s been very unkind to Kent sides with one only of the eight sides in drawn receiving a home draw.

The “lucky” ones are James Collins’ Faversham Town, whose reward for beating Hertford Town in the last round at the weekend is a home tie with Isthmian Premier side Haringey Borough.

Of the other sides who won through at the weekend, Sittingbourne (who beat East Grinstead) should be favourites for their tie at Barking; Herne Bay (who got past VCD on Saturday) now face a tough tie at Hitchin Town; Hythe’s “reward” for their penalty shoot out win over Ashford is another tough trip to Royston Town.

Ramsgate meanwhile who got a bye into this stage after COVID regulations forced Canvey Island to withdraw will now go to Enfield Town in the next round.

Our three Isthmian Premier sides who enter the competition at this stage haven’t fared much better – Jay Saunders takes Margate to face Aylesbury United; Tony Russell’s Cray Wanderers head to Brighton to face Whitehawk and Neil Cugley’s latest assault on an FA competition will begin with his Folkestone Invicta off on a trip to Walton Casuals.

All ties are due to be played over the weekend of Halloween…

The full draw for the Kent sides then

Aylesbury United v MARGATE

Barking v SITTINGBOURNE

Hitchin Town v HERNE BAY

Enfield Town v RAMSGATE

FAVERSHAM TOWN v Haringey Borough

Royston Town v HYTHE TOWN

Walton Casuals v FOLKESTONE INVICTA

Whitehawk v CRAY WANDERERS