The wait is almost over. Whitstable Town begin their 2026/27 Isthmian League South East Division campaign on Saturday with a trip to East Sussex to take on Peacehaven & Telscombe.

After making a winning start to the new season in the Emirates FA Cup, Lee Martin's side now turn their attention to league action and the first opportunity to put points on the board.

With Saturday being our opening league fixture of the season, there is of course no league form to compare just yet. However, both sides head into the weekend having already tasted victory in competitive action.

The Oystermen opened their campaign at the Belmont with a 3-1 Emirates FA Cup victory over Roffey, providing a positive start to the new season in front of a 461-strong home support.

Peacehaven & Telscombe also successfully negotiated their opening FA Cup fixture, recording a 2-1 victory over Horsham YMCA.

That means both teams arrive at Saturday's league opener looking to build on winning starts and carry some early momentum into their Isthmian League campaigns.

Peacehaven & Telscombe have been part of the Sussex non-league football landscape for more than a century.

The club's roots date back to 1923, when Peacehaven Rangers were formed, while Telscombe also had its own football club. The two eventually came together, with the Peacehaven & Telscombe name being adopted in the 1970s.

The club joined the Sussex County League in 1969 and went on to become one of the competition's most successful sides, winning the Division One championship on seven occasions.

One of the most memorable periods in their history came during the 2010s.

Peacehaven won the Sussex County League Division One title in 2012/13, earning promotion to the Isthmian League for the first time.

They didn't stop there.

In their first season at Step 4, Peacehaven won the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2013/14, securing back-to-back promotions and a place in the Isthmian Premier Division.

After later returning to Sussex football, the club worked its way back up the pyramid and now competes alongside the Oystermen in the Isthmian League South East Division.

Saturday's fixture also renews an Isthmian League rivalry between the two clubs, with Whitstable and Peacehaven & Telscombe having previously met at this level.

The sides crossed paths during the 2014/15 season, when Peacehaven were enjoying their spell higher up the non-league pyramid, before meeting again as Isthmian Division One South opponents in 2015/16.

That 2015/16 meeting at the Belmont has an interesting connection to more recent Whitstable Town history – Dean Grant.

Grant, who was part of the Whitstable Town squad last season, was wearing the red and white of the Oystermen when Peacehaven visited the Belmont during the 2015/16 campaign.
And he certainly made his mark on the fixture, scoring twice for Whitstable that afternoon.

More than a decade on, the two clubs now prepare to meet again as Isthmian League South East Division opponents.

There is older history between the sides too. Whitstable and Peacehaven have twice been drawn together in the FA Vase, with the Oystermen recording 3-1 victories in both 1981/82 and 1989/90.

So while Saturday marks the beginning of a brand-new league campaign, it also renews a fixture with plenty of history behind it.

Saturday's fixture will be played at The Window Workshop Sports Park, the home of Peacehaven & Telscombe.

The ground is situated on Piddinghoe Avenue in Peacehaven and has a capacity of approximately 3,000.

Supporters will find three covered areas around the ground, providing a mixture of covered seating and standing accommodation.

The stadium has a modern 3G artificial playing surface and also features a clubhouse with a fully licensed bar, along with hot and cold food and refreshments available on matchdays.

Accessible entry is available to both the ground and clubhouse, while designated parking spaces for blue badge holders are situated close to the main entrance.

Peacehaven & Telscombe have produced a useful guide for visiting supporters containing more information about the ground, its facilities, food and drink, menu and other matchday information.

You can find the full Sports Park guide here

First-team manager Lee Martin has thanked supporters for the backing the team received during last weekend's FA Cup victory over Roffey and is looking for his side to build on that positive start when the league campaign gets underway on Saturday.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who came down to the Belmont and supported us against Roffey. It was great to start the season with a win in front of our own supporters and their backing was fantastic.

"We know Peacehaven will be a really difficult test. They're a strong side and it's never an easy place to go, especially with the travel involved, so we know we'll have to be at our best.

"There were plenty of positives from last weekend, but also areas where we know we can improve. This group is still developing and learning about each other, but the attitude, togetherness and application have been excellent.

"We want to carry the momentum from the FA Cup game into the league now and start the campaign positively.

"As I've said before, and I'll say again, the supporters will be our 12th man this season. Hopefully as many as possible can make the journey to Peacehaven, get behind the boys and we can give those travelling something to enjoy on Saturday.

"Their support is greatly appreciated by myself, the players and everyone involved with the team. It really does make a difference."

Pre-season is behind us, the first competitive victory is on the board and now the league campaign begins.

Saturday represents the first of many challenges ahead for Lee Martin and his squad as the Oystermen embark on the 2026/27 Isthmian League South East Division season.

With both Whitstable and Peacehaven heading into the fixture following FA Cup victories, there should be plenty to look forward to when the action gets underway at 3pm.

For those making the journey, your support on the road will, as always, be hugely appreciated.

COME ON YOU OYSTERS!