The Emirates FA Cup returns to the YMS Stadium on Saturday as Whitstable Town welcome Newhaven with a place in the First Qualifying Round at stake.

The Oystermen began their journey with a 3-1 victory over Roffey in the Extra Preliminary Round and will again face opposition from the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division.

Newhaven make the journey from East Sussex to The YMS Stadium for a fixture that has some previous FA Cup history of its own.

Whitstable booked their place in the Preliminary Round with a 3-1 victory over Roffey at the YMS Stadium.

Since then, Lee Martin's side have turned their attention to the beginning of the Isthmian League South East Division campaign, with Saturday's cup tie continuing a busy opening few weeks of the new season.

Newhaven have also had competitive football under their belts ahead of the trip to Kent and will arrive knowing that, for 90 minutes, league levels and divisions count for very little.

Both sides have the same target on Saturday – a place in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Known as The Dockers, Newhaven compete at Step 5 in the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division and are one of the oldest clubs in Sussex football.

The club traces its history back to a meeting at the Bridge Hotel in the late 19th century and became one of the founding members of the Sussex County Football League in 1920.

Newhaven have twice been champions of the league's top division, winning the title in 1953/54 and 1973/74.

More recently, the Dockers have enjoyed success in Sussex cup competitions. They lifted the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup in 2014/15 and again in 2022/23, as well as winning consecutive Sussex RUR Charity Cups in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

The club play at the Trafalgar Ground on Fort Road in Newhaven, with their Dockers nickname reflecting the maritime and port heritage of their East Sussex home.

Saturday won't be the first time the Oystermen and the Dockers have met in the Emirates FA Cup – and the previous encounter came at exactly the same stage of the competition.

Newhaven travelled to the Belmont for an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie on 24 August 2019.

On that occasion, Whitstable came out on top with a 3-1 victory.

The Oystermen went ahead through Harry Stannard before Danny Williams doubled the advantage shortly before half-time. Williams struck again after the break to make it 3-0, with Shane Harper later pulling one back for the visitors.

That victory sent Whitstable into the First Qualifying Round, where the Oystermen were subsequently drawn at home to Folkestone Invicta.

Seven years on, Newhaven return to Whitstable at the Preliminary Round stage once again, with another place in the First Qualifying Round on the line.

The Dockers have a long history in the competition, with their best FA Cup run coming a century ago.

Newhaven reached the Fourth Qualifying Round in 1926/27 – taking them to within one victory of the competition proper.

The club has experienced plenty of changes in the years since, but the attraction of the FA Cup remains the same.

For both clubs, Saturday provides another opportunity to progress and see what the next round might bring.

The Scoreboard Shack will be open serving a range of hot food, while the clubhouse and bars will also be open offering a selection of beverages and drinks throughout the afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm and supporters are encouraged to arrive in plenty of time before the action gets underway.

Concession admission is available for disabled visitors, senior citizens aged 65 and over, and students with a valid NUS card.

Please provide proof of age and/or eligibility when claiming a concession.

Under-14s will only be admitted when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Please note: Season tickets are NOT valid for this fixture as season ticket admission excludes all cup competitions.

To make arrival as quick and easy as possible, supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance.

Automatic turnstiles are available at both the Car Park entrance and Belmont Road, allowing supporters with online tickets to simply scan the QR code on their phone and head straight into the ground.

Belmont Road entrance:
Online tickets only via the automatic turnstiles.

Car Park automatic entrance – East Side of the Main Stand:
Online tickets only via the automatic turnstiles.

Car Park staffed entrance – West Side of the Main Stand:
Cash and card payments accepted on the day.

Purchasing online before matchday is the quickest way into the YMS Stadium and helps reduce queues at the turnstiles.

Purchase your tickets here.

Please note: All cars parked in the car park are left at the owner's risk.

First-team manager Lee Martin is looking for his side to embrace another FA Cup afternoon at the Belmont and build on the victory over Roffey in the previous round.

"We enjoyed the FA Cup game here against Roffey and now we've got another opportunity at home, which we're really looking forward to.

"Newhaven will be a difficult test. They're a good side and we know that league positions don't mean anything when you get into cup football. They'll come here wanting to progress just as much as we do, so we'll have to approach the game properly and be at our best.

"It's been a busy start to the season and the games are coming quickly, but that's what you want. Every game gives this group another opportunity to develop and learn together.

"We want to keep building and we'd obviously love to continue our run in the FA Cup. Having another game at the Belmont is a big positive for us and hopefully we can make that home advantage count.

"The supporters were excellent in the previous round and we'll need them again on Saturday. Hopefully we can get another good crowd behind the boys and give everyone another FA Cup afternoon to enjoy."

Seven years after Newhaven last visited the Belmont at this stage of the competition, the Oystermen and the Dockers meet again.

The 2019 encounter went Whitstable's way, but Saturday represents a completely new contest between two sides with their sights set on extending this season's FA Cup journey.

Whitstable have already negotiated one round following the victory over Roffey. Now Newhaven stand between Lee Martin's side and a place in the First Qualifying Round.

Get behind the boys and help us make the most of another FA Cup afternoon at the Belmont.