We start our 145th FA Cup campaign by hosting an all too familiar face in Ebbsfleet United. 

 

The two sides have almost mirrored each other’s movements in recent years, being promoted and relegated to and from the National League on the same seasons. The Fleet took all six points from last campaign’s two league meetings, scoring three on each occasion. The York Road fixture eventually took place in March of this year; Josh Coley nodded in the opener before Toby Edser and Kwesi Appiah’s penalty made it three without reply. Liam Dulson and Matt Robinson’s close-range finishes in stoppage time brought the deficit to one before Jordi van Stappershoef’s late bicycle-kick nearly completed the comeback. 

 

Having narrowly missed out on play-offs last season, Ebbsfleet were quick to action reinforcements. Nine players came through the door before the start of pre-season, with Will Buse arriving after a standout season between the sticks for Salisbury where he kept 11 clean sheets, a strong save percentage and a 100% penalty save ratio. Former England youth and Southampton defender Jake Vokins also joined The Fleet’s ranks following his departure from Eastleigh, the 26-year-old made 23 National League appearances last campaign and provides strong defensive depth. 

 

Players to have played for both are far from difficult to find and The Magpies had two that tick the box arrive in the summer. The aforementioned Josh Coley arrived as our first signing of the summer after having spent the season prior in Kent, a year in which he played 44 times, registering four goals and four assists. All four of the goals came at a crucial time proving to either be a winner by a one goal margin or in a draw. Since Josh’s return to York Road, he has featured seven times and contributed two assists – both of which came in our 3-0 win at Dover Athletic. This adds to the 39 appearances he earned in his first stint in 2020/21, where he also scored five times. 

 

The danger man for Saturday’s visitors come just behind the forward line, in Finlay Barnes. Sitting in the ‘number 10’ position, Barnes is a product of Norwich City’s Academy before he made his way up the non-league circuit with Darlington, Scarborough Athletic and King’s Lynn Town. It could well mean that Saturday is a battle of two Fins both playing in behind the striker that have graduated from Norwich City Academy (just a couple of years apart). Barnes has started the season in strong form, with a goal and an assist in his, and Ebbsfleet’s, opening three games. 

 

The famous face for Saturday’s visitors is late great actor Paul Ritter. Born Simon Paul Adams, he took the name Ritter from a German actor due to another Simon Adams being registered with the acting trade union. Born in Gravesend, at the time when Ebbsfleet United were named Gravesend & Northfleet, Ritter was a lifelong Liverpool fan. He featured in films such as Quantum of Solace and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, while taking to television series roles for Vera and perhaps most notably Friday Night Dinner. For nine years, and 37 episodes, he starred as Martin Goodman in the Channel 4 sitcom and received a posthumous at the 2021 BAFTA for the Best Male Comedy Performance. 

 

Maidenhead United 2-3 Ebbsfleet United (2026) 

Ebbsfleet United 3-0 Maidenhead United (2025) 

Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Maidenhead United (2025) 

Maidenhead United 2-1 Ebbsfleet United (2024) 

Maidenhead United 0-1 Ebbsfleet United (2024) 

Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Maidenhead United (2023) 

Maidenhead United 1-3 Ebbsfleet United (2020) 

Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Maidenhead United (2019) 

 

Please follow the link below for directions to York Road.  

This fixture WILL NOT be segregated. Tickets are available online and on-the-gate. 

 

 

Adult: £15 

Concession (Over 65s, Registered Disabled): £10 

Next Generation (16-22): £10 

Juniors (U16): £5