Sidley bidding to match FA Vase run

The Blues, whose best run to date took them as far as the third round in 1998-99, entertain Erith Town in round two on Saturday November 19.

"Everyone talks about that cup run still," said assistant manager Andy Laskey. "The atmosphere was brilliant and you want to keep that kind of thing going really for as long as possible."

If they are to keep it going they will need to overcome a side sitting third-bottom of the Kent Premier Division with just one win and six points from their 10 games thus far.

Wednesday night's League Cup match at Lordswood was their fourth straight defeat since beating Sussex Division One high-flyers Whitehawk 2-0 in the previous round.

Among their conquerors of late have been Deal Town - the team that knocked Sidley out of the FA Cup in a replay - and Kent Division One leaders Whitstable Town.

Sidley themselves haven't been in the best of form, but did snap a run of five successive away defeats with a 2-1 SCFL John O'Hara League Challenge Cup second round win at Oakwood on Saturday.

"I think any home draw is good really," Laskey continued, "because our home record is good. It's going to be a massive game and we're full of confidence. I don't see any reason why we can't get a result and, if we play to our best, it will take a good side to beat us."

Graham Morris is available again and manager Liam Barham is free from suspension, but Nick Whiteman is cup-tied and Paul Henty (hamstring) could be out for a while.

The match, which will be sponsored by Cheales Plumbing and Heating Limited, will go into extra-time if the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes. If there is still nothing to separate them, the replay arrangements will be broadcast on the Sidley United newsline, the number for which is 221126. Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm.