Having knocked out National League South opposition Maidstone United and Horsham to reach the Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Folkestone Invicta are now faced with the task of taking down National League giants Southend United to win a place in the First Round for the first time in 20 years.

In 2005, Invicta reached the First Round of the FA Cup for the only time in the club’s history, taking an early lead through Adam Flanagan before ultimately falling 2-1 to Football League side Chester City.

Invicta have reached the 4th Qualifying Round three times in the last nine years, falling to Slough Town in 2017, Eastleigh in 2021 and Merthyr Town in 2022.

Jay Saunders’ side head into the tie unbeaten in 90 minutes so far this season, our only defeat coming on penalties to VCD Athletic in the Kent Senior Cup.

Should the tie finish level after 90 minutes, a replay will be played at Ashford United’s Green Box Stadium on Tuesday 14th October.

The draw for the Emirates FA Cup First Round will take place live on TNT Sports at approximately 6:40pm ahead of Worthing v Forest Green Rovers on Monday evening. Southend United or Folkestone Invicta will be ball number 70 in the draw.

Matchday Info

You can find more info on ticketing, travel and parking in our matchday info by clicking here.

Tickets & Travel

Folkestone Invicta supporters have been allocated blocks NE and NF in the Solopress North Stand. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance. Click here to purchase yours now.

Spaces are available on our supporters’ coach, which will depart from The Dugout at 11:30am on Saturday morning. Click here to book your seat now.

The Emirates FA Cup stat-pack

• 747 clubs entered this season’s FA Cup, with just 156 now remaining.
• 32 ties will be played over the weekend between 64 non-league sides. That includes 24 clubs from the National League and 40 winners from the previous round.
• As well as a place in the First Round, winners will take home £9,375 while the losers will take £3,125.
• The weekend will kick off with Farnham Town v Sutton United live on BBC Sport on Saturday lunchtime and conclude with Worthing v Forest Green Rovers on TNT Sports on Monday evening.
• This will be the last round of this season’s competition where ties will be decided by replays.
• Invicta are one of five Kent non-league sides competing for a place in the 1st Round this weekend.
• At least one Kent side will join Gillingham and Bromley in the First Round draw, with Tonbridge Angels hosting Chatham Town on Saturday. Whitstable Town (the lowest ranked side remaining in the competition) travel to Wealdstone and Ebbsfleet United host Solihull Moors.

From The Manager

Jay Saunders spoke this week ahead of the fixture:

“Saturday is going to be a huge test for us but one we are very much looking forward to against a very good Southend side.”

“We’ve done our homework on them and know just how good they are and what we are up against, but come 5pm on Saturday there will be teams that have caused upsets and there’s no reason why that can’t be us – that’s what we are going there to do.”

“We’ve had a good week at training to prepare, the squad is in good shape and we can’t wait to get out there in front of our fans and hopefully give them something back for all the travelling they’ve done to support us so far this season.”

The Opposition

A club that has played in the Championship as recently as 2007, Southend United dropped out of the Football League in 2021 after 101 years. Having knocked on the door of the National League play-offs, The Shrimpers finished 7th last season and overcame trips to Rochdale and Forest Green Rovers to reach the play-off final at Wembley, losing 3-2 to Oldham Athletic after extra time.

Kevin Maher’s side currently sit just outside the play-offs, having taken 22 points from 13 games this season and come into the tie off the back of a 3-0 win over Aldershot Town last weekend. Southend have three wins, three draws and one defeat at home so far this season.

Recent Form

06/09 – FC Halifax Town (H) – Won 3-0
13/09 – Boston United (H) – Drew 1-1
24/09 – Eastleigh (A) – Lost 2-1
27/09 – Scunthorpe United (H) – Lost 2-0
30/09 – Boreham Wood (A) – Drew 1-1
04/10 – Aldershot Town (H) – Won 3-0

The Manager

Kevin Maher made over 450 appearances for Southend United as a player between 1997 and 2008. Maher took charge of the club in 2021, shortly after their relegation to the National League, steadying the ship with a 13th-place finish. In his first full season, Maher’s side finished just two points outside of the play-offs and would have reached them the following campaign but were denied by a 10-point deduction. Having been just minutes away from promotion at Wembley in May, Maher will be looking to go one better this season.

One To Watch

With six goals in 13 appearances this season, Andrew Dallas is Southend’s top scorer this campaign. The 26-year-old Scottish forward is on loan at Roots Hall from League One side Barnsley and has previously represented Cambridge United, Barrow and Morecambe in the EFL.

Familiar Faces

Joe Pigott will be making his return to Roots Hall. While on loan from Charlton Athletic in 2015, Joe scored a 122nd minute equaliser at Wembley in the 2015 League Two play-off final, which Southend went on to win on penalties.

Recent Meetings

Saturday will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.