AFC Sudbury continue their FA Trophy campaign for the 2014-15 season on Saturday, as they travel to Kent to take on Maidstone United (Sat, 3pm), in the second qualifying round.
The Yellows beat Whistable Town in the Preliminary Round of the FA Trophy. In the first qualifying round, they drew 2-2 at Bognor Regis Town, before Sudbury went on to win the replay (2-1) at the Wardale-Williams Stadium.
AFC go into the match, after they beat Leiston 3-1, on Tuesday evening, to progress through in the League Cup, and beat Redbridge 2-0 on Saturday in the Ryman North. The Yellows are currently 7th in the Ryman North division.
AFC's opponents, based in Kent, are currently flying high in the Ryman Premier League, in their bid for promotion to the Conference, and currently stand 2nd, five points behind leaders Margate. Their attention has been away from the league though, as they are in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, where they drew 0-0 with Football League side Stevenage. Maidstone drew 1-1 at home to Dulwich Hamlet in their previous match on Wednesday.
The winners of Saturday's match will earn a prize fund of £3,250. Should today's fixture end in a draw, then a replay will be played at Sudbury on Tuesday 25th Nov (with extra time and penalty kicks if need be then).
AFC Sudbury Reserves are in action on Saturday, when they travel to Haverhill Borough in the TN First Division.
LAST TIME OUT - Second encounter between the two sides
The two sides have met once before, when Maidstone United beat AFC Sudbury 3-0 in the final of the Isthmian League Cup last season, at Maidstone's Gallagher Stadium, with AFC looking to be on the winning side this time out. While today's fixture does not mean as much as last season's cup final, it will, however, put the match winners in the hat for the next round of the FA Trophy.
AFC Sudbury reached the third qualifying round last season. The club beat Worthing 2-0 at home, before travelling to Hastings United (1-0 win), and drawing at Conference South side Tonbridge Angels (1-1). A replay at the King's Marsh saw Tonbridge progress through as 1-0 winners.
- AFC have yet to play an FA Trophy match this season at home.
- The two sides have only met once before
- AFC have scored seven goals in all FA Trophy matches this season
- AFC were knocked out after a replay at this stage to Tonbridge Angels last season
NOTES FOR TRAVELLING FANS:
Admission Charges for the match will be £10 Adults, £7 Concessions (65+), Youths (11 to 16) £4, Under 11 £1. The supporters coach for AFC supporters (after booking a seat) will leave at 10am, costing £10.
The nearest car parks are:
-Maidstone Lions Charity Car Park: Stacey Street, Maidstone, ME14 1ST (Four minute walk)
-Invicta House Pay and Display: Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone, ME14 2UY (Five minute walk)
-Maidstone East Station Pay and Display: Off Week Street, Maidstone, ME14 1QN (Seven minute walk)
Louis Byers will be reporting at the home of the Stones from 2pm.
Updates on Twitter: @FANbaseBlog / Follow Louis: @LouisB8
FA TROPHY SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING FIXTURES (3pm unless stated)
AFC Hornchurch v Merstham
Banbury United v Marine
Barkingside v Horsham
Bedford Town v Chippenham Town
Biggleswade Town v Poole Town
Blyth Spartans v Halesowen Town
Burgess Hill Town v Folkestone Invicta
Chasetown v Loughborough Dynamo
Curzon Ashton v Barwell
Dereham Town v Sholing
East Thurrock United v Arlesey Town
FC United of Manchester v Buxton
Gresley v Goole AFC
Hendon v Worthing
Hereford United v Mangotsfield United
Histon v Cray Wanderers
King's Lynn Town v Stourbridge
Leiston v Paulton Rovers
Lewes v Heybridge Swifts
Maidstone United v AFC Sudbury
Metropolitan Police v Dulwich Hamlet
Mickleover Sports v New Mills
Nantwich Town v Ramsbottom United
Peacehaven & Telscombe v Thamesmead Town
Redditch United v Trafford
Rushall Olympic v Stratford Town
Slough Town v Merthyr Town
Spennymoor Town v Leek Town
St Neots Town v Darlington 1883
Tonbridge Angels v Grays Athletic
Uxbridge v Didcot Town
Weymouth v Burnham
Whyteleafe v Leatherhead
Wimborne Town v Northwood
Witham Town v Truro City
Witton Albion v Workington