Matchday, and assuming this afternoon’s pitch inspection goes as planned, then the Hawks will be venturing back to Imperial Fields for the second time this season to face Kingstonian in a cup competition, as the Velocity Cup moves into the spotlight.

It’s been a superb start to the year for Shaun Saunders’ side who, after league wins against Horsham and Margate, will be looking at the table with greater joy as they settle in 13th, targeting a play-off place. The opportunity for a third straight win to the start the year takes place later tonight in the near-freezing temperatures, with a Velocity Cup Quarter Final place on the line.

The Opposition

Things haven’t got much better for The K’s since our previous visit to Imperial Fields a couple of months ago, with Simon Lane’s side without a win in their previous 11 league matches. That slide has seen them drop to 21st, only Concord Rangers worse off, though they do have five matches in hand.

Wins are certainly needed, and they earned one at home to Dulwich Hamlet in the previous round of the Velocity Cup. They are a side who score enough goals but, as they boast the worst defensive record in the league, the chances of escaping the drop zone appears increasingly unlikely.

One to Watch | Andy Somo: Spending a brief spell in pre-season with the Hawks, the physical presence of the centre-forward combines with ruthless finishing to earn him the ‘One to Watch’ title. 

The leading scorer in the last two seasons for Chipstead, he was named in the Isthmian South Central Team of the Season last campaign. Somo has found the net on nine occasions this season so far, most recently on New Year’s Day in their defeat to Billericay Town

Recent Form – DLLLL

16/12 | Margate (A) | Drew 2-2

26/12 | Chatham Town (H) | Lost 3-1

30/12 | Wingate & Finchley (H) | Lost 2-1

1/1 | Carshalton Athletic (A) | Lost 4-1

6/1 | Billericay Town (H) | Lost 3-1 

Previous Meetings

Whitehawk travel to Kingstonian’s temporary home of Imperial Fields for the second time since the beginning of November, with the Hawks running out comfortable 4-0 winners in the FA Trophy courtesy of a Louis Collins brace, and goals from Jack Dixon and Stefan Wright.

The two sides’ last meeting was at Corinthian Casuals’ ground back in 2019, with Whitehawk coming out on top by a 3-1 scoreline.

Lucas Rodrigues, Henry Muggeridge and Sinn’Kaye Christie all found the net on that day, with Reece Hallard earning a last minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.

Since 2013, the two sides have met on five occasions, with the Hawks winning four, and the other ending in the aforementioned draw.

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to Imperial Fields on Wednesday night, then you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) channel, which can be found here.