Ahead of the start of our 2025/26 campaign this August, we are now able to confirm our Pre-Season schedule in full.
We kick start our preparations at Westleigh Park, where we will host Baffins Milton Rovers on Saturday 5th July, KO 15:00. Baffins finished 6th in the Wessex Premier Division after they finished just 2-points outside of the Play-Off places.
An AFC Wimbledon XI visit the Hawks on Tuesday 8th July, KO 19:45. The Dons’ First Team have seen a successful year in EFL League Two finishing 5th and securing a place in the Play-Offs. They made it all the way to Wembley and secured promotion into League One after a goal just before half time. The Academy Dons have also seen a successful campaign, finishing 3rd in the Youth Alliance League South Division.
Our first away trip in our Pre-Season preparations sees the Hawks take the short trip along the A27 to Oaklands Park where we face Chichester City on Saturday 12th July, KO 15:00. After promotion at the end of 2022/23, Chi tackled their First Season at Step 3 in the Isthmian Premier League. They agonisingly missed out on the Play-Offs on the final day to eventual Play-Off winners Dover Athletic in a winner takes all tie at home.
The Hawks head on the road once again on Tuesday 15th July as we head to The Stanley Chase Stadium to take on neighbours Horndean in a 19:45 Kick-Off. The Deans finished 17th in The Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4) securing their place at the level for another year.
Following our midweek trip to Horndean, The Hawks will make the trip over The Solent to the Isle of Wight where we take on Cowes Sports at The Zilch Waste Stadium on Saturday 19th July, KO 15:00. Cowes Sports finished 12 in the Wessex Premier Division last campaign winning 12 and drawing 9 as they collected 45 points. They also retained The Isle of Wight Gold Cup with a victory over East Cowes Victoria in May, the third time in a row that they’ve lifted the trophy.
After three trips in a row away from home, The Hawks return to Westleigh Park to face off against Vanarama National League South outfit Worthing on Tuesday 22nd July, KO 19:45. After missing out on the Title by just 1-point, Worthing headed to the Play-Offs where they were defeated by Maidstone United at home. Earlier in the 24/25 season, the Hawks headed to The Sussex Transport Community Stadium in Emirates FA Cup action where The Rebels came out on top in a 3-2 victory that eventually saw Chris Agutter’s side host EFL League Two side Morecambe in the First Round Proper.
On Saturday 26th July, Vanarama National League South side Horsham will be our opponents as we head to The Fusion Aviation Community Stadium in a 15:00 Kick-Off. Horsham were crowned Champions of the Isthmian Premier Division following a title-race that went down to the final moments of the final day. Just 1 goal separated them from eventual runners-up Billericay Town with both the sides locked level on points. It wasn’t in the hands of Horsham but their 5-1 win over Hashtag United compared to Billericay’s 4-2 win over Cheshunt secured their promotion to Step 2 by the smallest margin.
In our penultimate Pre-Season fixture, we will host our annual fixture against Portsmouth at Westleigh Park. Pompey will come to PO9 on Tuesday 29th July, KO 19:00 in what we expect to be another fantastic occasion against our friends from Fratton Park. John Mousinho’s men secured a 16th place finish on their return to the EFL Championship and will once again prepare themselves to tackle the second division of English Football in 25/26.
Rounding off our Pre-Season campaign, Westleigh Park will see the Hawks take on Burgess Hill Town on Saturday 2nd August, KO 15:00. The Hillians saw Play-Off glory in the Isthmian League South East Division after finishing 3rd in the table. A 2-0 victory over Margate in the Semi-Final at Leylands Park saw a final against runners-up Sittingbourne await the side of joint managers Gary Mansell & Jay Lovett. A 1-1 draw in normal time saw penalties which saw Burgess Hill Town come out on top and be promoted to Step 3.