From the ninth tier of English football, Ashford Town (Middlesex) make their first Kuflink Stadium appearance as football’s most prestigious cup competition returns. It’s the first home tie in the competition for two years for the Fleet who last welcome Slough Town in October 2023.

The Fleet’s Emirates FA Cup history
The most recent notable cup run for the Fleet came during the title-winning campaign of 2022/23 with the Second Round reached and a narrow defeat by League One Fleetwood Town at the Kuflink Stadium in front of the ITV cameras. That was the first Second Round appearance for almost 20 years for Fleet fans.

Ashford Town’s journey to the second qualifying round
This will be Ashford’s fifth game of the competition already. They beat higher-league Eastbourne Town at the second attempt in an extra preliminary round replay at the start of August. SCEFL club Snodland Town were next, beaten 3-2, before another higher-division club were sent out as AFC Whyteleafe were also knocked out by 3-2.

The Tangerines play in the Combined Counties League North and lost only their first of 10 games this season last weekend, another 3-2 scoreline seeing Kidlington inflict the first defeat. They were relegated from the Isthmian Division One South Central last season.

Who’s who?
Marcin Brzozowski is a Polish-born goalkeeper in his second season with Ashford who played against the Fleet in a 1-0 win for Oxford City in January 2024. He has also been with Torquay United and Yeovil Town.

Captain Luke Elliott was joint player-manager at Westfield. He won promotion to the Isthmian League with the Woking-based club in 2023/24 and then last season took over the reins as manager. He was one of three Westfield players to make the switch to Ashford this summer after four years with his previous club.

The man to watch is 19-year-old forward Jack Arnold. Despite his age, he has top-scored for the club for the past two seasons and already has nine goals to his name so far this season.

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online here with prices rising at midnight. Supporters can also buy on the day at our ticket windows next to the stadium reception/entrance (but not at the turnstiles themselves). Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12:30pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.

The Rose pub
A reminder that The Rose Pub (1 Rose Street, DA11 9EQ) is open from 11am to home and away supporters. Located close to both the ground and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations, it’s an ideal venue for that pre- and post-match drink with food available throughout the day.

Food and drink
Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Our Main Stand Kiosk and Geeks Corner Kiosk will be stocked with pies, pasties and sausage rolls along with light snacks, soft drinks plus tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased in the social bar (located in front of the turnstiles) and the Main Stand Lounge bar. Beers on tap include Fosters, Cruzcampo, Brixton Reliance, Inchs Cider and Moretti.

Old Mout Cider will now be available on tap in both the Social bar and Main Lounge bar in flavours Berries & Cherries, Kiwi & Lime and Pineapple & Raspberry.

Our cooling four-pint pitchers can be used in the Main Stand Lounge bar, the Social Club and the area behind it. Please do not bring pitchers into the Main Stand, the Plough End or the Geeks/Swanscombe End terraces.

Programmes
Our Fleet Review programme can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or reserved through our online club shop here up until 10am on matchday. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main turnstiles and at the Plough End social club. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.

A reminder that fans have the chance to win two hospitality tickets at Wembley for England’s match against Wales – tickets can be purchased at the Social Bar and Main Stand Lounge Bar as well as online here. The draw will be made following our match against Eastbourne on Saturday 4th October.