Sittingbourne Chairman ready for Dartford.
Sittingbourne V Dartford
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
First Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 17 October
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne FC
Winning clubs receive £2300
Click here for fixtures
Sittingbourne chairman Andy Spice feels that Isthmian Premier Division table-toppers Dartford will be in for a surprise when they visit Bourne Park for their FA Trophy First Round Qualifying game.
In November 2006, Dartford moved into their new £7million Princes Park stadium. The ground is environmentally-friendly while also possessing a playing surface said to be the equivalent of European giants Real Madrid and Ajax, but they won't be facing that at their Kent neighbour's home.
"They are obviously used to playing at their nice, big stadium," Spice said. "It could be a bit of a culture shock for them to come down here."
While the well-supported Dartford have had an unbeaten start to their league campaign, Sittingbourne currently sit in the lower reaches of the Isthmian Division One South.
Taking the scalp of their high-flying opponents is something that Spice believes could give the Sittingbourne players added motivation on Saturday.
"Everybody likes to knock somebody off their run and Dartford are absolutely flying at the moment," he added. "They'll be difficult to play, but we are hopeful of getting the win."
Dartford were defeated in The Final of The FA Trophy during the 1973-74 season and Spice holds the competition in high regard.
"We were all very, very pleased but also relieved to make it through the last round against Wingate & Finchley as The FA Trophy means a lot" he admitted.
"The competition is good for the lower leagues as it is massive financially but also gives smaller clubs a chance to get to Wembley.
"In The FA Cup, it isn't going to happen because you can go through a few rounds and then the big boys come in but in The Trophy, Wembley can happen."