Match Preview

WHITSTABLE TOWN v WARE
The Buildbase FA Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 12 October 2019 15.00

Tomorrow at the Belmont Ground, Whitstable Town entertain Ware in the Preliminary Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy. Having won 1-0 at Chalfont St Peter in the previous round two weeks ago, Whitstable now face another team from the BetVictor Isthmian League South Central Division. Although both clubs have long and proud histories, with the Hertfordshire visitors being founded in 1892, just a few years after Whitstable, this will be their first ever meeting. Ware were not drawn to play in the Extra Preliminary Round, so enter the competition at this stage. They have enjoyed a successful start to the season and are currently fifth in their division and yet to lose a league game. They also had a good run in the FA Cup, beating FC Romania, Leiston and Biggleswade Town, before conceding a last minute penalty to lose 2-1 to Potters Bar Town in a home tie that attracted a crowd of 387. Potters Bar now face Barnet in a final qualifying round tie that will be streamed live on the BBC.

Some will remember that Potters Bar were one of the teams that Whitstable beat during their best ever FA Trophy campaign in 2013-14. They made it all the way to the last 32, with some memorable performances under manager Nicky Southall, before narrowly losing to Ebbsfleet united in front of a big crowd at the Belmont Ground. Their complete results during that campaign were:
Sittingbourne 1 Whitstable Town 5 (Preliminary Round)
Whitstable Town 2 Potters Bar Town 2 (First Round Qualifying)
Potters Bar Town 1 Whitstable Town 2 (First Round Qualifying Replay)
Hythe Town 2 Whitstable Town 2 (Second Round Qualifying)
Whitstable Town 2 Hythe Town 1 (Second Round Qualifying Replay)
Carshalton Athletic 1 Whitstable Town 2 (Third Round Qualifying)
Hendon 1 Whitstable Town 2 (First Round)
Whitstable Town 1 Ebbsfleet United 2 (Second Round)

Should the game end in a draw after 90 minutes, there will be a replay at Ware’s Wodson Park ground on Tuesday 15th October, which would mean a postponement of the Velocity Trophy game against Faversham Town. The prize money for the Preliminary Round is £2,250 for the winners, with the losing team collecting £750.

Other FA Trophy ties in this round with local interest include:
Aylesbury United v Sevenoaks Town
Sittingbourne v South Park
VCD Athletic v AFC Sudbury
Berkhamsted v Herne Bay
Burgess Hill v Phoenix Sports
Ashford United v Witham Town
Hythe Town v Hastings United
Maldon & Tiptree v Cray Valley PM

Finally, a reminder that during the international break this Saturday has been designated Non-League Day, which is an opportunity for non-league clubs to promote community football and give football fans the chance to support for their local teams. Whitstable Town will be helping to raise money for the partner charity Prostate Cancer UK and are also offering discounted prices on draught beers and hot drinks for the afternoon.