For Ebbsfleet United the wait to put their name on the Kent Senior Cup is a mere 11 years but, for Tonbridge Angels, that wait amounts to a time when the Angels part of their title didn’t even exist.

Fifty years ago, 5th April 1975, at The Athletic Ground, a George Putman goal won the trophy on the home ground of Maidstone United and the wait has continued ever since.

Ebbsfleet United have won the Kent Senior Cup twice under their present title and a further six times as Gravesend and Northfleet, whilst the Angels have just one further success, in 1965, to add to that memorable day 10 years later.

Ebbsfleet will be looking to add a little light at the end of what has been a very dark National League season, one that on Saturday, against AFC Fylde, they won for just the second time.

Josh Wright is the club's third manager this season and whilst Saturday’s result has been a long time coming, he has brought relative stability since his appointment in December.  He began the season as a first team regular but hasn't played since replacing Harry Watling in the dug out.

The Fleet’s path to the semi-final has seen them beat Gillingham and Bromley and in that quarter-final, they started six players who are regular members of their National League squad including Rakish Bingham, former Gillingham striker Dominic Samuel and ex-Wycombe defender Anthony Stewart. Former Angels’ loanee Nathan Odokonyero, our joint leading goal scorer last season, also featured, although after a pre-season injury he has played more minutes in the Kent Senior Cup than in the league this season.

Jay Saunders looked forward to the game: “You can see we’ve gone strong in the competition, and I’ve said to the boys it is an opportunity to win stuff and players can go through a career without winning anything. Parky asked the boys how many of them have won anything and only about three put their hands up. It is not going to be easy, I’m sure Ebbsfleet will go strong but it’s an opportunity to give the supporters something to cheer and get a good day out at Priestfield.”

Ebbsfleet have announced that the Main Stand and both ends will be open with food outlets in the Main Stand Lounge, that will be open from 6pm, along with the main-stand kiosk. The Main Lounge will have alcoholic and soft drinks available plus bar snacks. A food station will be located in the main lounge with chicken strips and chips along with pies, pasties and sausage rolls. The main stand kiosk will have the usual offerings of pies, pasties, sausage rolls and refreshments. Also available will be tomato soup along with a bread roll for £4. The social bar will be open until midway through the second half and The Rose pub, next to Northfleet Station, is open to both home and away fans for pre- and post-match use. Please note that alcohol cannot be consumed in the stands.

The nearest stations are Northfleet and Ebbsfleet International. From Northfleet, go (more or less) straight ahead until you reach the main road. Turn left, walk to the bottom of the hill and the ground is on your right. From Ebbsfleet International, proceed through Car Park C and out on to the roundabout where you will see the stadium in front of you.

There is no unallocated parking in the club’s car park and the road between the station and the roundabout outside the stadium is designated a ‘Clearway’ and any cars parked along there are liable to be ticketed. There is limited space available in surrounding residential streets. The hosts encourage all spectators to use Ebbsfleet International Station which offers secure match day parking in its Car Park C for £3 cash only (valid from 12.30pm). Drive into the left-hand barrier where a steward will issue a ticket to display in your window. (Note that if you get a ticket from the machine instead, you will be charged the full parking rate.)

Admission prices are Adults £8 Concessions £5 12-21 years £5 and Under-12 £. Tickets can be bought in advance HERE  or tickets bought on the night, with cash or card, should be purchased from the ticket windows with no purchases made at the turnstile.

Enjoy the game!