It’s the FA Cup on Saturday as Invicta head to Hartsdown Park for a Kent Derby showdown with Margate.

The Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

This weekend’s 2nd Qualifying Round consists of 80 ties made with 112 winners from the 1st Qualifying Round being joined by 48 sides from Step 2 (National League North & South). The 80 winners will then compete in the 3rd Qualifying Round (scheduled for Saturday 30th September) with sides from Step 1 of the NLS (National League) not entering until the 4th Qualifying Round.

The action will kick off on Friday night with 3 ties, including Lewes travelling to face FA Vase holders Ascot United, and finish with 3 more ties on Sunday, including Cray Wanders v Ramsgate and Wingate & Finchley v Farnborough.

There are 14 sides remaining for Step 5, although none from Kent as the final 4 remaining SCEFL clubs were knocked out in the previous round. Step 5 side Tadcaster Albion will host Chester of the National League North as BBC Sport’s live streaming fixture via iPlayer and the BBC Sport website with the tie being played on Saturday lunchtime.

Ties that finish level after 90 minutes will head to a midweek replay, so Invicta will host Margate on Tuesday evening at the Alcaline Stadium should that be the case, with replays going to extra time and penalties to find a winner.

Sides beaten at this stage collect £1,125 in prize money while the winners will take home £3,375 plus a guaranteed £1,875 for losing in the 3rd Qualifying Round.

From The Managers

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, joint Head Coach Roland Edge said:

“This Saturday we turn our attentions once again to the the Fa cup and find ourselves traveling away to our local rivals Margate. After meeting recently we know what to expect and nothing but full focus and effort will be enough to put our name back in the hat.”

Previously

The sides will clash again less than 3 weeks after Invicta came out 2-0 winners on August Bank Holiday Monday with goals from Callum Davies and Ira Jackson Jr. Invicta will be looking to make it 4 wins in a row over our Kent rivals having won 4-0 at Cheriton Road in January and 1-0 at Hartsdown Park on Easter Monday with Ibrahim Olutade scoring the winner.

The Opposition

Margate progressed through the 1st Qualifying Round with a 3-2 win at Hendon, coming from 1-0 down to lead 3-1 before a consolation goal set up a tense finish.

The Gate have since followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Isthmian Premier Division strugglers Potters Bar Town which sees them sitting a point behind Invicta in the table after 6 matches.

At Hartsdown Park this season it’s 2 wins from 3 for Reece Prestedge’s side, having beaten Whitehawk on the opening day but fallen to defeat to Cheshunt. All 3 matches have finished 2-1.

The Venue

Hartsdown Park’s name is taken from the park adjacent to the North and was opened in 1929.

Supporters enter at the south end of the stadium along Hartsdown Road where the bar and turnstiles are situated. Many home supporters forgo switching ends and congregate on the southern terrace for the entire 90 minutes.

A small seated stand runs along the west of the stadium with new dressing rooms behind, with a small standing terrace behind the goal at the north end.

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

The closest station to Hartsdown Park is Margate, approximately 1km away. Trains run round the coast once an hour from Folkestone West and Central on Saturday, with a short change at Ramsgate, with the journey taking just over an hour.

Admission  

Saturday’s fixture is pay on the gate but you can buy tickets in advance.