FA CUP PREVIEW | Dartford v Welling United

Welling United make the short journey to Princes Park on Saturday as they take on Dartford in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup (3pm).

There will be more than just bragging rights at stake when the local rivals go head-to-head with a coveted place in the third qualifying round up for grabs with the game set to take place in front of a bumper crowd.

The Wings may welcome back TJ Bramble who returns from international duty with Antigua & Barbuda, while skipper Mitchell Dickenson has an outside chance of involvement having got a run out for the U23s last week, as did Enoch Muwonge.

THE OPPOSITION

After defeat in the play-offs last season, the Darts have struggled to re-capture their promotion-chasing form in the early stages of this season, with just two wins under their belt.

Indeed, from their nine games, so far, they have two wins, three draws and four defeats under their belts and come into the game off the back of three straight league defeats at the hands of Taunton Town, Slough Town and St Albans City.

PRE-MATCH CHAT

Danny Bloor: “It’s going to be my first derby as manager. It’s massive and It’s in the FA Cup, the greatest cup competition in the world.

“I’ve got a tingle going through my body. The aim is always to get to the first round proper – I did it with my previous club and how great it would be to do that with Welling United.

“I can’t wait for this game. It’s massive for the fans.”

Dartford boss Alan Dowson: “I’m looking forward to the game. We’ll have a few players back.

“It’s a great game and a derby, so we’re looking forward to it. It should be a cracking game with a good atmosphere. We’ve had a tough start to the season so we’ll need support on the sidelines.”