Tickets purchased, you’re going to Corinthian. Remember the way? We’ve been through this before. It’s easy to get lost in this part of Kent but, as bliss as the county’s vast green spaces are, there’s an FA Trophy tie to be played in there somewhere.

It’s on a farm, if you weren’t aware. And it’s on a Saturday! Shocking may that be, the gorgeous turf and its rustic surroundings make this a weekender to yearn for. Mark those TomTom’s with precision, you wouldn’t want to miss Whitehawk’s next chapter on the winding, whirling road to Wembley.

Last time out

Which brings us neatly onto the next point: how did we get here? ’Twas a damp and dark night in Tilbury that booked the Hawks a return journey to, erm…Middle Kent. A slow start it was; a volley and a looping header from Charlie Lambert and Joe Shelley respectively turned things around after a first half breakthrough had pushed the hosts into an underserved lead.

And then there was Lancing. A Tuesday evening not too many a mile west Shaun Saunders’ battalion battled boldly and bravely, but failed in their quest to annex Culver Road. Positives did arise, chiefly in the bruised backline that secured a fourth clean sheet of the campaign, but also in the extending of the unbeaten streak. It’s up to six, as the Hawks sit in third.

The hosts

Corinthian FC: No, not that one, or that one…and it’s definitely not the other one you’re thinking of. Ah, yes. The one with a bracketed ‘Kent’ after its name. That’s all very trivial, for the Hawks will return here again in a little over two months time for the all-important league outing in November.

Speaking of league, The Hoops have struggled for any sort of rhythm in their opening five divisional matches. It leaves them rock bottom of the table, with a single point earned at the home of Chichester courtesy of a Festos Kamara finish.

Still likely to be feeling the effects of Wednesday’s 4-0 hammering by Ashford United on the Corinthian grass, there’s a tinge of fear blowing in from the trees as they await the spark to kickstart their campaign. Oh, and watch out for Oscar Housego. The forward, alongside Kamara, are real threats for Saturday’s hosts.

Previous encounters

Upon Corinthian’s promotion to the Isthmian Leagues ahead of last season, many were unwitting to the almost-but-not-quite black and white era clashes between the two sides. A 3-1 FA Vase Hawks win in 1995 was finally backed up 26 years later when a rampant Whitehawk cruised to a 4-0 victory at Gay Dawn Farm last year.

It was arguably the finest they had played all campaign, but the return fixture brewed expected frustration as Ross Standen’s side were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw on a breezy, but bustling, afternoon of football.

Time for some Saturday football, anyone?