Margate make the trip to Surrey on Saturday afternoon as they kick off their 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup campaign with a Preliminary Round tie against Combined Counties Premier South side Cobham.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh will be aiming for a strong response from his side after they slipped to their first defeat of the season on Tuesday night — a frustrating 2-1 loss away to league hopefuls Sittingbourne. That result followed an opening-day draw at Hartsdown Park against newly promoted Jersey Bulls, who earned their place in the Isthmian South-East via the play-offs last season, defeating Cobham in the play-off final.
For Saturday’s hosts, the season has begun in solid fashion. A standout 3-1 victory away at Broadbridge Heath in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round on 2nd August marked an impressive start and serves as a reminder that they will be no easy opponents. Cobham have also enjoyed a 4-0 opening-day league win at Tooting & Mitcham but fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Corinthian Casuals last weekend.
Despite the quick turnaround from midweek action, Greenhalgh is set to have a fully fit squad available. That includes full-back Harrison Hatfull, who missed Tuesday’s game with a suspected broken hand but is now in contention.
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, with a place in the First Qualifying Round at stake. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie will go to a replay at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off).
Match Details
The Reg Madgwick Stadium
Downside Bridge Road
Cobham, Surrey
KT11 3EP
Admission
- Adults: £8
- Concessions: £5
- Under 16s: FREE
