Cup football returns to The OnSite Group Stadium this weekend as AFC Portchester prepare for one of their biggest challenges of the season to date – a home clash against Southern League high-flyers Taunton Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Portchester have enjoyed a strong start to their first ever FA Trophy campaign, with two home wins from two ties played so far – 1-0 versus Flackwell Heath in the First Qualifying Round and A 3-0 win against Tavistock in the Second Qualifying Round.

Both victories came with clean sheets, and the Royals will be determined to extend that good defensive and winning Trophy form in front of the home faithful once again.

Although league form has been mixed so far, two wins and four defeats but only six league games have been played so far, there’s no question that Portchester’s better performances in 2025-26 to date have come in this competition.

Gav Spurway’s side will be looking to bounce back quickly from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat away at Hayes and Yeading United, and there’s no better way to do that than by upsetting higher-league opposition.

Taunton Town arrive sitting in sixth position in the Southern League’s Premier South Division, and their trip to Portchester marks the start of their FA Trophy campaign this season.

They come into the fixture off the back of an impressive 4-1 away win at Dorchester Town in their last game on September 23, showing they carry plenty of attacking threat.

But with Portchester already battle-tested in this competition, and unbeaten in FA Trophy fixtures at home this season, Taunton’s manager Richard Luffman believes his side are in for a tough afternoon at The OnSite Group Stadium and the Royals will be keen to cause a cup upset and book their place in the First Round Proper of this national cup competition.

PREVIEW WRITTEN BY DECLAN MURPHY