Winslow United will attempt to extend an historic first campaign in the FA Trophy when they travel to Sussex to face Burgess Hill Town in the Third Qualifying Round on Saturday.
The Buckinghamshire side make the journey to the Medical Travel Compared Stadium on Saturday, 26 September, for a 3pm kick-off, with a place in the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy awaiting the winners.
For Winslow, the occasion represents another landmark in what has already been an eventful season of knockout football.
This is United’s first campaign in the FA Trophy following their move into Step 4 football, and they have already negotiated two rounds to reach Saturday’s tie.
Burgess Hill, who operate one level higher at Step 3, enter the competition at the Third Qualifying Round stage and will therefore be playing their first Trophy fixture of the season.
Dramatic start to Trophy campaign
Winslow began their Trophy adventure against familiar Buckinghamshire opposition Milton Keynes Irish.
The rearranged First Qualifying Round tie at Elmfields Gate on Wednesday, 2 September proved every bit as dramatic as might have been expected from two sides who know each other well.
After 90 minutes the teams could not be separated, with an entertaining contest finishing 3-3.
Penalties were required to decide who would progress and Winslow held their nerve, winning the shoot-out 5-3 to secure their first victory in the FA Trophy.
It also provided some satisfaction following an earlier league meeting between the clubs. MK Irish had beaten Winslow 1-0 in Southern League Division One Central in August, Clinton Zawe scoring the decisive goal late in that contest.
Five-star Winslow see off Concord
There was considerably less drama when Concord Rangers visited Elmfields Gate in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, 12 September.
Winslow produced one of the eye-catching results of the round as they swept aside their visitors 5-0.
United held a 1-0 advantage at half-time before taking complete control after the interval, adding another four goals to seal an emphatic passage into the Third Qualifying Round.
The result means Winslow have scored eight times in their opening two FA Trophy ties, while their only three goals conceded came during the remarkable opening-round encounter with MK Irish.
Available competition scoring records underline the attacking threat within the Winslow side. Harry Scott has been credited with three Trophy goals so far, with Abu Khan on two and Aaron King also among United’s scorers during the competition.
A five-goal success in knockout football represented an emphatic way for Winslow to secure their trip to Sussex.
Cup experience building
Saturday’s tie will not be Winslow’s first experience of travelling outside Buckinghamshire in national competition this season.
United have already enjoyed a lengthy FA Cup adventure which provided valuable knockout experience.
They opened that competition with a 2-0 victory at Royal Wootton Bassett Town, with Scott Valentine and Ethan Flanagan finding the net.
A 2-2 draw against Longlevens then forced a replay. That second meeting finished 1-1 after extra-time before Winslow again demonstrated their ability from the penalty spot, winning the shoot-out 4-1.
Aaron King, Harry Scott, Levi Nicholson and Ryan Freshwater all converted from the spot as United progressed.
Their FA Cup run eventually came to an end against Swindon Supermarine, but the experience means Winslow arrive at Burgess Hill having already encountered many of the situations cup football can produce — replays, extra-time, penalty shoot-outs and matches against unfamiliar opposition.
Hillians waiting in Sussex
The challenge increases considerably on Saturday.
Burgess Hill compete at Step 3 of the National League System, one level above Winslow, and have home advantage at the Medical Travel Compared Stadium.
The Hillians have themselves experienced plenty of knockout football during September.
Their FA Cup campaign included a goalless encounter with Jersey Bulls before Burgess Hill won the subsequent meeting 3-1. Their progress was eventually halted by Hanwell Town, who recorded a 2-1 victory on 19 September.
Gary Mansell’s side will now turn their attention to the FA Trophy and attempt to make home advantage count in their first fixture in this season’s competition.
For Winslow, the trip represents another opportunity to test themselves against opposition from a higher level.
The stakes on Saturday
The FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round is the final qualifying stage before the First Round Proper.
The Third Qualifying Round winners receive £2,450 from the competition prize fund, while losing clubs receive £625. The successful side progresses to the First Round Proper, scheduled for Saturday 24 October 2026, where the prize payments increase to £3,000 for winners and £775 for losing clubs.
History already made
Whatever happens on Saturday afternoon, the campaign has already secured a small place in Winslow United history.
This is the club’s first season in the FA Trophy and reaching the Third Qualifying Round means United are now just one victory away from appearing in the First Round Proper at their first attempt.
It has been an entertaining route so far.
Six goals and a penalty shoot-out were required to settle the opening tie against Milton Keynes Irish. Ten days later, Winslow demonstrated a completely different route to victory by putting five unanswered goals past Concord Rangers.
Now comes the toughest test of the run so far.
Burgess Hill possess the advantage of playing at home and competing at the higher level, while Winslow travel south with two Trophy victories behind them and plenty of recent experience of the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
For the supporters making the journey from Buckinghamshire to Sussex, there is also the prospect of witnessing another piece of club history.
Ninety minutes — and perhaps another dramatic cup afternoon — stand between Winslow United and the FA Trophy First Round Proper.
BURGESS HILL TOWN v WINSLOW UNITED
Isuzu FA Trophy – Third Qualifying Round
Saturday, 26 September 2026 | 3pm
Medical Travel Compared Stadium, Burgess Hill
Winslow’s road to the Third Qualifying Round:
First Qualifying Round: Winslow United 3-3 Milton Keynes Irish — Winslow won 5-3 on penalties.
Second Qualifying Round: Winslow United 5-0 Concord Rangers.
