This weekend sees 128 teams take part in 64 ties in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. This round sees the remaining Step 4 teams joined by 88 Step 3 teams from the Northern Premier League, Southern League Premier Central, Southern League Premier South and Isthmian League Premier Division.
Both teams are in Zone 5, which covers an area stretching from Oxfordshire to the south coast, Devon and Cornwall.
Chichester City currently ply their trade at Step 3 of the football pyramid in the Southern League Premier South, where they currently sit seventh in the table.
Chichester City began competing regularly in the FA Trophy following their promotion to Step 4 of the non-league system in 2019. Their best performance in the competition came during the 2024–25 season, when they reached the Second Round Proper after defeating Herne Bay 2–0 and Plymouth Parkway 4–0, before narrowly losing 3–2 to Worthing.
Outside of their 2024–25 run, the Lilywhites have historically struggled to progress beyond the early qualifying stages, frequently exiting in the First or Second Qualifying Round.
Most recent campaign: In the 2025–26 competition, their journey was cut short in the Third Qualifying Round following a 4–2 defeat to Farnham Town. This will be their first match in this season’s competition.
Unlike Chichester City, Thame United has a much longer historical footprint in the competition. They first began competing consistently in the FA Trophy qualifying rounds during the 1990s. Their best performance came during the 2002–03 season, when they reached the Third Round Proper.
During that historic campaign, the Red Kites secured impressive wins over Bromley, 3–2, and Horsham, 2–1, before bowing out after a narrow 3–2 away defeat to Windsor & Eton.
Other notable runs: In the 2017–18 campaign, the club made history by advancing through three consecutive qualifying rounds for the first time. That run included a standout 1–0 upset over the higher-tier outfit Worthing.
This season, Thame United has built strong momentum. They defeated Westbury United 1–0 in the First Qualifying Round and comfortably dispatched Portland United 2–0 away from home in the Second Qualifying Round, setting up their imminent clash with Chichester City.
Coming into the game, Thame are on an unbeaten run of nine games, winning seven and drawing two. They are also on the back of a midweek away victory over Exmouth Town in the FA Cup.
Chichester, after recording four successive victories, have failed to win their last three matches. This run includes a midweek draw against Chertsey Town and elimination from the FA Cup last Saturday.
There will be no replays in the FA Trophy. If the match is level at full time, it will go straight to a penalty shootout. The winner of this tie will advance to the First Round Proper, which is scheduled to be played on 24 October.

Kick Off at the ASM Stadium 15:00

CURRENT FORM (Last Six Games)
Thame United: W,W,W,W,D,W
Chichester City: W,W,W, L, L, D

LEADING GOAL SCORERS
Thame United: Harry Alexander (7) Greg Hackett (5)
Chichester City: Harry Bridle (8), John Akintola Bello (4)

COLOURS:
Thame United will be playing in Red / Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks, GK All Yellow
Chichester City will be playing in ​Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts, Yellow Socks, GK All Coral

TEAM MANAGERS:
Thame Manager: Ben Williams
Chichester City Manager: Miles Rutherford

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Marc Rister
Assistant Referee: Matthew Paul
Assistant Referee: Barrington Ellison

GROUND
The ASM Stadium, Meadow View Park, Thame, Oxon OX9 3RN, 01844 214401

PRICES:
Adults £10, Concessions / Students £5, U16 £3, Under 5s £1

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME LINK