The Oystermen return to cup action on Tuesday evening as Deal Town make the journey to the YMS Stadium for a Velocity Cup Round One tie.

The two sides meet for the second time this season, with Whitstable looking to repeat the result from August's league meeting and progress into the next round of the competition.

The Oystermen head into Tuesday evening's Velocity Cup tie looking to build on their recent league form after securing a win against Faversham Town last Tuesday their second league victory of the campaign after beating Deal Town at the YMS Stadium 3-1 a month prior.

Alex Wall and Jack Nelson put Whitstable two goals ahead inside the opening 17 minutes before Tom Chapman pulled one back for Deal shortly after half-time.

Perri Iandolo restored the two-goal advantage in the second half to secure all three points for the Oystermen in front of 828 supporters at the Belmont.

The sides now meet again just over a month later, but this time with a place in the next round at stake with The Oystermen also having a number of changes within the squad.

Known as The Hoops, Deal Town are another familiar East Kent opponent and are now in their third season at Step 4.

Deal won the Southern Counties East League Premier Division in 2023/24 before returning to the Isthmian League for the 2024/25 campaign.

The club has a proud history in the FA Vase, becoming the first club from Kent to lift the trophy when they beat Chippenham Town 1-0 in the 1999/2000 final at Wembley in front of 20,083 supporters.

That gives Tuesday's fixture an interesting connection, with Deal's Wembley success coming 25 years before Whitstable lifted the FA Vase for the first time in 2025.

The Oystermen defeated AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 after extra time at Wembley in May 2025, with Harvey Smith equalising before Ronald Sithole scored the winning goal.

There is no shortage of recent history between these two clubs.

The most recent meeting came on 25 August, when Whitstable produced an impressive 3-1 league victory at the YMS Stadium.

Alex Wall opened the scoring after 11 minutes before Jack Nelson doubled the advantage six minutes later.

Deal responded through Tom Chapman shortly after half-time, but Perri Iandolo restored Whitstable's two-goal cushion with his goal in the 67th minute.

The result saw the Oystermen claim their first league victory of the campaign, while Tuesday's meeting offers Deal the opportunity to respond in a very different competition.

Tuesday's tie is a straight knockout fixture, with the winners progressing to the next round of the Velocity Cup.

With both sides already familiar with one another this season, there should be little need for either team to find their feet.

For the Oystermen, it is another opportunity to make home advantage count and continue a cup campaign that has already included FA Cup and FA Trophy action.

The Oystermen are back under the lights at the YMS Stadium and supporters can enjoy the full matchday offering.

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.

Belmont Bites is also back open following investment and improvements, including new equipment and container units to help improve efficiency.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, grab something to eat and drink and get behind the Oystermen as we look to progress in the Velocity Cup.

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 tie against familiar opposition.

"It's another cup game against a team we know well, and obviously we've already played Deal this season.

"We were pleased with the result when we played them in the league, but this will be a different game and a different competition. Deal will want to put that right, so we'll have to approach it properly.

"We've got a good opportunity to progress in another cup competition and, playing at home, we'll want to make that advantage count.

"The players have worked hard and we want to put in a good performance in front of our supporters and give ourselves the best possible chance of getting through to the next round."

The Oystermen and The Hoops meet again at the YMS Stadium, just over a month after Whitstable claimed a 3-1 league victory.

This time there is no league points at stake.

There is simply a place in the next round of the Velocity Cup.

Get down to the Belmont, enjoy the atmosphere under the lights and get behind the Oystermen.