The big day is fast approaching and preparations are well underway for the first leg of the Isuzu FA Vase Semi-Final against the uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Hartpury University. Whitstable go into this cup tie on an unbeaten run of sixteen games, but Hartpury University are very close to being confirmed Hellenic League champions and have already knocked out two SCEFL Premier Division teams, VCD Athletic and Erith & Belvedere, in the last two rounds, so will present a tough challenge, as would be expected in the last four of a national competition.

Matt Longhurst sent us some thoughts on behalf of the management team, ahead of the big game:

“What a season it’s been so far. The start obviously wasn’t where we wanted to be as a new management team, but it was the beginning of the process and the journey so far has been a really enjoyable one. We have met some fantastic people at this club, from the board, the youth section and of course the fans. On top of that, we have started to build a brilliant set of players and human beings who love representing this club and each other.

We (Jamie, Matt, Dan and Taylor) are immensely proud to lead the team into the semi-final of such a great competition. We have had some brilliant days already and to be this close to playing at Wembley; well, we have all started to dream of that magical day that we have all dreamt of since being kids. We’re confident that we can make those dreams come true, not only our own, but also those who hold the club so close to themselves.

We hope to give you all, as fans, board members and youth players, coaches and parents, a team that you can be proud of, emulate and of course be part of. We can’t wait, as a group, to play in front of nearly 3,000 fans and we will be doing everything we can to get us to the promised land of the national stadium.”

You can also listen to the latest thoughts of Jamie and Matt in an interview conducted at training on Tuesday evening.

All of the tickets for this game have been sold out for a while and there are no more available. There will be no admission to the game without a ticket.

The second leg will be at Hartpury on Sunday 6th April and details of tickets for that game and coach travel to Hartpury can be found elsewhere on the club website.

Whitstable Town v Hartpury University
The Isuzu FA Vase Semi-Final First Leg
Saturday 29th March, 3.00 pm
The Primcura Healthcare Stadium
Belmont Road
Whitstable
Car Park (Grimshill Road) CT5 4LN