This weekend sees 80 teams take part in 40 ties in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. The remaining Step 2, Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5 teams from the previous rounds battle it out for a place in the fourth qualifying round, where Step 1 teams from the National League enter.

Eastbourne currently ply their trade at Step 3 in the Isthmian Premier League and have a historic record of reaching the FA Cup First Round Proper five times in their history. Founded in 1965 as Langney F.C., the club has never progressed past the First Round Proper, but they have enjoyed some highly memorable ties against league opposition along the way, including a victory over League One side Blackpool in the 2020/2021 campaign. They have navigated the opening rounds of the 2026/27 FA Cup with two decisive wins: beating Whitehawk F.C. 4-2 in the First Qualifying Round, followed by a 3-0 victory over Windsor & Eton F.C. in the Second Qualifying Round.

Thame made their first-ever appearance in the prestigious competition during the 1976–77 season. Aside from a three-season gap between 1985 and 1988, they have participated in every single iteration of the tournament, with our best performance coming in the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons, when they reached the fourth qualifying round. Last season, the club came through the preliminary round with a 3-1 away victory at Clevedon Town, before going down 2-1 at Step 3 Chertsey Town in the First Qualifying Round. This season, it was a fairly comfortable victory in the preliminary round, beating Brislington FC 7-1 at the ASM Stadium, followed by a difficult encounter with Reading City, coming out on top 3-2. In the last round, after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, the team had a comfortable away victory in Devon against Exmouth Town in the replay to progress to this stage.

It is the first time the two teams have met in any competition. The visitors to the ASM Stadium this weekend currently sit in tenth place in the Premier League, with thirteen points from their eight games, and are undefeated in four.

Meanwhile, Thames nine-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at home to Step 3 side Chichester City in the FA Trophy, before bouncing back under the lights on Tuesday with a 3-0 home victory against Beaconsfield in the league.

If the tie is all square at full time, there will be a replay on Tuesday 6 October, kick-off 19:45, at the Connect Management Stadium, Priory Lane, Eastbourne.

Kick Off at the ASM Stadium 15:00

CURRENT FORM (Last Six Games)
Thame United: W,W,W,D,W,L
Eastbourne Borough: L,W,W,W,W,L

LEADING GOAL SCORERS
Thame United: Harry Alexander (8) Greg Hackett (5) Ed Daffern (5)
Eastbourne Borough: Kai Corbett (5) Liam Nash (3)

COLOURS:
Thame United will be playing in Red / Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks, GK All Yellow
Eastbourne will be playing in ​Purple Shirts, Purple Shorts, Purple Socks, GK Blue / White

TEAM MANAGERS:
Thame Manager: Ben Williams
Eastbourne Manager: Steve King

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Thomas Wall
Assistant Referee: Ella Broad
Assistant Referee: Matthew Childs
Fourth Official: Christopher Poole

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

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

TICKET INFO
Ticket Information for those going to Thame United on Saturday.
No online presale tickets but tickets can be purchased outside the ground at the Food Kiosk and at the Bar in the Clubhouse.

If you pay there, you will recieve a receipt, which needs to be handed into turnstile on entry.

Match Day Programme
https://www.pitchero.com/document-download/13461/429084