The Hawks return to The Enclosed Ground for the first time in three weeks as the attention now switches to the FA Trophy and Ascot United.

It starts a run of six consecutive home matches, which could turn into eight if Shaun Saunders’ side are to win on Saturday and get dealt a home tie in the next round of the competition.

It’s best, then, to take these matches one at a time. Isthmian South Central newcomers Ascot United journey down to the coast for this FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying clash, with much momentum as they take this next corner.

Whitehawk’s FA Cup defeat at Worthing last Saturday marked the end of a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but the Hawks will take solace in their home form, as victory on Saturday would earn Saunders’ side a 17th match unbeaten on home soil.

Team News

Saunders should have options aplenty as we reach a hectic October month, with eight matches on the schedule. He’ll need every bit of his squad this month, with the Hawks featuring in four different competitions throughout.

The Opposition

A side who were firmly placed onto the map last season, the town of Ascot is not just known for its Racecourse, for a stone’s throw away you will find a club who has lifted silverware at Wembley Stadium just a few short months ago.

That’s right, the FA Vase holders are heading down to East Brighton. They’ve already faced two Sussex sides this season in a busy cup schedule: defeated 1-2 by Lewes in the FA Cup, before a 6-2 drubbing of Lancing booked a place in the next round of the FA Trophy.

Promoted to the Isthmian Leagues for the first time in their history, the 2022/23 season will go down as the club’s finest, with all eyes on how they get on in a higher division. 

One to Watch | Brendan Matthew: Little debate about this one, as Matthew has already found the net on an impressive 13 occasions this campaign, firing four past Lancing a fortnight ago.

An exceptionally quick, proven goalscorer, the one to watch signed ahead of last season from Egham Town, smashing Ascot’s goalscoring record with 47 goals, unsurprisingly picking up just about every award at the end of season presentation evening.

Recent Form

30/9 | Sutton Common Rovers (H) | Drew 1-1                                                                                                 

26/9 | Badshot Lea (A) | Lost 1-0 (Velocity Cup)                                                                                               

23/9 | Lancing (H) | Won 6-2 (FA Trophy)                                                                                                         

15/9 | Lewes (H) | Lost 1-2 (FA Cup)                                                                                                                 

12/9 | Leatherhead (H) | Lost 1-2                                                                                                                     

Previous Meetings

This is the first ever meeting between Whitehawk and Ascot United, so… there’s not much else we can say here!

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to The Enclosed Ground on Saturday afternoon, then fear not! For we will be providing updates through our X (Twitter) channel, which can be found here.