Ebbsfleet United – Sholing

Recent form · Written before the match

Ebbsfleet remains unbeaten in the documented results before the match: wins against Walton & Hersham (2-0, 5 September), Maidenhead in the FA Cup (3-1, 19 September) and Tonbridge Angels (2-1, 26 September), as well as draws against Hemel Hempstead (0-0, 8 September), Salisbury (1-1, 12 September) and Slough (1-1, 29 September). At Slough, the club reported more chances, but the equalizer came after a sequence played temporarily with ten men.

Sholing beat Berkhamsted 2-0 on 29 September; the club describes territorial dominance, central and wide situations, followed by three consecutive clean sheets. Its complete run of five most recent matches has not been established.

Both teams have four days of rest since their last known match, with a longer journey for Sholing, although the duration has not been verified.

Head-to-head · Written before the match

Ebbsfleet indicates that this is the first meeting between the two clubs. No previous encounter between this pair, including the previous season, is documented in the pages consulted.

This absence limits any direct comparison of the styles and squads.

Absences and returns

No goalkeeper absence, suspension, injury, or uncertainty has been confirmed before the match. The starters and the extent of any potential rotation have not been announced.

The complete, dated standings of both teams have not been verified; Ebbsfleet only indicated Sholing in 17th place in the Southern League Premier South on 21 September, after finishing sixth the previous season.

Context & news

Ebbsfleet can stretch Sholing through the wide areas with Lennon Peake and Ben Chapman’s crosses and Gene Kennedy’s runs, with Appiah or Ogunleye as likely targets in the box. The opposing scenario relies on Sholing’s confident défense, its three clean sheets, the Jones-McCarthy combinations, and Thabo Kuaho’s crosses toward the far post.

Ebbsfleet fatigue, a turnover in transition, or insufficient defending against these crosses could reduce the favorite’s advantage. The stakes are qualification for the next round, with 5 625 £ for the winner and 1 875 £ for the loser.

Lineups and squad

Ebbsfleet host Sholing at Morrow Stadium on Saturday 3 October 2026, at 15 h local time, in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup. No neutral venue is indicated.

The official lineup has not been announced. Will Buse kept goal for Ebbsfleet at Slough on 29 September; Jack Turner was listed as Sholing’s goalkeeper before Berkhamsted, with no guarantee of starting.