After securing top spot in the Isthmian Premier Division this week with wins over Potters Bar Town and Cray Wanderers, attention now turns to the FA Trophy as Invicta welcome AFC Totton to the Alcaline Stadium.

Invicta head into Saturday in fine form, with four consecutive wins – scoring 16 and conceding just two.

AFC Totton will be looking to match their best FA Trophy run on Saturday by reaching the third round, which they achieved in 2021/22 and 2024/25. Invicta have reached the third round in two of the past four years, including a club record of the fourth round in 2021/22.

The Isuzu FA Trophy

• 80 teams will compete in Saturday’s FA Trophy Second Round, including 48 from the National League North & South who enter the competition at this stage.
• Invicta are one of 25 sides remaining from step three, while nine step four sides will compete on Saturday. Eight of those step four clubs face away ties to step two clubs, with Leatherhead the exception as they host Hampton & Richmond.
• Winners of Saturday’s ties will earn themselves £3,750, with the losing clubs taking home £1,000.
• The remaining 24 teams from the National League will enter the competition in the third round, which is due to be played the weekend of the 13th December. The draw is expected to take place on Monday 17th November.

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From The Manager

Jay Saunders spoke ahead of Saturday’s match: “Tuesday was a great night – the sort of night that doesn’t happen often so it was important we enjoyed that but full focus is now on Saturday and AFC Totton.

“We will make changes – we need to – we’re in the middle of a very busy period and it’s important we manage the squad well through it, with us playing Saturday-Tuesday every week leading up until Christmas and a long season still ahead of us, but we will put a team out to go and win that game.

“It will be a tough test, they’ve gone up into the National South and had a really good start to the season, but we’ve beaten Maidstone and Horsham in the FA Cup so we go into this knowing we are capable of causing another upset in front of our own fans.

“They’ve been amazing this season, putting in a lot of miles in the first couple of months and we’ve had great numbers now we’re back at home. They are getting to see a lot of goals and they seem to be enjoying that. The players are certainly enjoying playing in front of them and giving them plenty to cheer about.”

Team News

We can confirm that midfielder Jeremy Santos has joined Ashford United as he looks for game time in his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during pre-season.

The Opposition

After missing out on the Southern League Premier South title by just three points to Merthyr Town, AFC Totton won the playoffs to secure promotion to the National League South. The Stags have had a fine start to life at step two, currently sitting eighth – outside the playoffs on goal difference with games in hand.

Totton head into Saturday’s tie off the back of consecutive defeats to Ebbsfleet United and Worthing so will be looking to bounce back before they make the trip to National South leaders Hornchurch next weekend.

Recent Form

21/10 – Bath City (A) – Lost 2-0
25/10 – Chelmsford City (H) – Won 2-1
01/11 – Macclesfield (A) – Lost 6-3 (FA Cup 1st Round)
04/11 – Maidenhead United (H) – Won 2-1
08/11 – Ebbsfleet United (H) – Lost 2-0
11/11 – Worthing (A) – Lost 4-0

The Manager

Jimmy Ball took charge of AFC Totton in 2022 and has led the club to two promotions in three seasons. After winning the Southern League Division One South title in 2023, Totton suffered playoff final penalty shootout heartbreak to Salisbury the following year but bounced back last season to see off Dorchester Town and Gloucester City and claim a place in the National League South.

One To Watch

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joined AFC Totton in the summer. The forward made one appearance for Arsenal at the start of his career, which has included spells with Blackpool, Cardiff, Ipswich and Gillingham as well as clubs in Thailand, Indian and Scotland.

Recent Meetings

Saturday will be the first ever meeting between the clubs.