The Oystermen return to the YMS Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Egham Town make the journey to Whitstable for our FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round tie.

After beginning our Trophy campaign with a 3-1 victory away at AFC Portchester, Lee Martin's side now face another Step 4 opponent with a place in the next round at stake.

It is our first home FA Trophy fixture since returning to the Isthmian League, and with the Oystermen looking to continue their cup journey, another competitive afternoon awaits at the Belmont.

Whitstable entered the FA Trophy at the First Qualifying Round stage following promotion back to Step 4.

Our opening tie saw the Oystermen travel to Oaklands Park, home of Chichester City, where goals from Jack Nelson, Derek Asamoah and Alex Wall secured a 3-1 victory over AFC Portchester.

That result booked our place in the Second Qualifying Round and brought Egham Town into our path.

With no replays in this season's competition, Saturday's tie must produce a winner, with extra-time and penalties available if required.

Known as The Sarnies, Egham Town are another club who have recently returned to Step 4 football.

The club was formed in 1963 and quickly established itself within the non-league pyramid, winning the Spartan League in 1967/68 before progressing into the Athenian League.

Egham eventually joined the Isthmian League, where they enjoyed several successful periods before later dropping down the pyramid.

Their latest return to Step 4 came after winning the Combined Counties League Premier North Division in 2024/25.

Egham then began life back in the Isthmian League South Central Division last season and will be looking to build on that experience during the current campaign.

The Sarnies entered this season's FA Trophy in the Preliminary Round and have already negotiated two away ties to reach Saturday's game.

They began with an impressive 3-0 victory at Cobham before travelling to Westfield in the First Qualifying Round.

Another away win followed, with Egham coming from behind to beat Westfield 2-1 and book their place in the Second Qualifying Round.

That means Saturday brings together two sides who have already had to navigate difficult away ties to reach this stage.

Saturday will also mark the first competitive meeting between Whitstable Town and Egham Town since Whitstable won 2-0 at Egham in the FA Vase during the 1985/86 season.

There is a familiar thread, however, with both clubs having recently returned to Step 4 after successful campaigns at the level below.

Now they meet at the YMS Stadium with a place in the next round of the FA Trophy on the line.

The Oystermen will be looking to make home advantage count as Egham arrive on Saturday afternoon.

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.

We are also delighted to welcome back Belmont Bites for Saturday's fixture.

Belmont Bites has been closed while investment and improvements have been carried out, including new equipment and container units designed to improve efficiency and help provide an even better service on matchdays.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy the matchday atmosphere, grab something to eat and drink, and get behind the boys as we look to continue our FA Trophy journey.

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 these benefits.

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

Please note: Season tickets are NOT valid for this cup fixture.

Supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets online in advance to make arrival as quick and easy as possible.

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.

For those travelling by car, please use CT5 4LN for navigation. This will take you directly to the drive leading to the stadium car park.

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

First-team manager Lee Martin is looking forward to another cup test as the Oystermen welcome Egham Town to the YMS Stadium.

"The FA Trophy is a competition we want to do well in and we're pleased to have got through the first round at Portchester.

"Now we've got Egham, another team who have had a good start to their Trophy campaign and have shown that they're capable of winning away from home.

"It's our first home Trophy game since coming back to Step 4, so we're looking forward to playing in front of our own supporters and hopefully making home advantage count.

"We know it won't be easy. Egham are a good side and they've already had to negotiate two rounds to get here, so they'll come with plenty of confidence.

"We've prepared properly and now it's about putting in a performance on Saturday and giving ourselves the best possible chance of progressing."

The Oystermen are one win away from the next stage of the FA Trophy.

Egham Town stand in our way after two away victories to reach the Second Qualifying Round, while Whitstable will be looking to build on our own success at AFC Portchester.

A first competitive meeting. A place in the next round at stake. And FA Trophy football back at the Belmont.

Get down to the YMS Stadium, enjoy the improved matchday offering and get behind the Oystermen.