Kent Senior Cup draw: Maidstone to host Gillingham while holders Margate visit Hythe Town

Old rivals Maidstone and Gillingham will meet in this season’s Kent Senior Cup.

The draw for the opening two rounds has been made, with United hosting the Gills in the stand-out tie of the second round.

Maidstone beat Gillingham 2-1 in the 2018 quarter-finals - the clubs’ first competitive meeting since a 1-1 draw in the old Division 4 in 1992.

They met again the following season, with the Stones winning 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals.

Both of those ties were also held at the Gallagher Stadium, attracting healthy crowds of 1,600 and 1,400 respectively.

Holders Margate, who beat Chatham on penalties in last season’s final, start their defence at Hythe Town in the first round.

Punjab United, making their debut in the competition after winning the Kent Senior Trophy, have been drawn at home to Erith & Belvedere.

Along with Maidstone and Gillingham, there are first-round byes for Bromley, Dartford, Dover, Ebbsfleet, Tonbridge and Welling.

First round (to be played by the end of September): Sevenoaks Town v Herne Bay, Ramsgate v Cray Valley, Hythe Town v Margate, Phoenix Sports v Cray Wanderers, Folkestone Invicta v Chatham Town, Sittingbourne v Ashford United, Sheppey United v Beckenham Town, Punjab United v Erith & Belvedere.

Second round (to be played by the end of November): Sevenoaks Town/Herne Bay v Welling United, Ebbsfleet United v Phoenix Sports/Cray Wanderers, Hythe Town/Margate v Sittingbourne/Ashford United, Maidstone United v Gillingham, Sheppey United/Beckenham Town v Dover Athletic, Punjab United/Erith & Belvedere v Ramsgate/Cray Valley, Dartford v Bromley, Folkestone Invicta/Chatham Town v Tonbridge Angels.