Larkfield & New Hythe are a young club compared to The Lingers having been founded in 1961, entering the Kent County League in 1998. After a couple of decades there the club were accepted into the South East Counties Football League Division One in 2021. In their first season they made the play-offs but lost in the final to Sutton Athletic. As a Tier 10 side they were eligible for the FA Vase and in their second foray in the competition in 2022-23 they progressed to the Third Round Proper beating two Tier 9 sides on the way. Their cup match experience did not help them as they made the end of season play-offs once again only to fall at the first hurdle on penalties to Tooting Bec. Last season saw them finish runners up to AFC Whyteleafe in the league and this time, having won a penalty competition 13-12 against Lewisham Borough, a single goal was enough to beat Staplehurst Monarchs to win promotion to the Premier Division.

As a Tier 9 side for the first time this is their first experience of the FA Cup. In the last round they beat fellow SECFL side Kennington 2-1 at home to earn the right to host us in the Preliminary Round. Same as us, they have played three league matches this season, winning away at Rusthall, beating Glebe at home and last weekend drawing away at Punjab United to place them second in table. They head Erith & Belvedere and Punjab United on goal difference on seven points behind VCD Athletic's 100% start. The current table shows they have played clubs in 16th, 13th, 20th and 4th. The expectation is for another tight game once again especially if players missing on Wednesday are available.