Emirates FA Cup 3rd Round Qualifying
Harborough Town v St Albans City
Saturday 3rd October 2026
Kick-off: 3.00 pm
Venue: The Beehive
Author – James Lee
Image – RB Media
FA Cup football returns this weekend as St Albans City travel to the Beehive for the Third Qualifying Round.
Founded in 1908, St Albans City have a rich non-league history. Winning the Isthmian League three times in the 1920s, they were founding members of the Conference South and earned promotion to the now National League in the 2005/06 season, where they competed for one season before being relegated back to the sixth tier. The Saints currently compete in the seventh tier in the Isthmian League Premier Division after dropping out of the National League South in the 2024/25 season. The Saints have reached the FA Cup Second Round or equivalent on five occasions, most recently in the 2021/22 season, a run which saw them beat then League Two side Forest Green Rovers before being knocked out by Boreham Wood.
Manager Gary McCann was appointed in November 2025. The 54-year-old has a wealth of management experience, with his previous club being Billericay Town, where his side were one goal away from winning the Isthmian Premier Division title. Having also managed Hendon FC, where he spent 13 years before moving to Hampton and Richmond. The Saints currently sit eighth in the league, having won four of eight games so far this season. Currently on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, they have not tasted defeat since August 22nd in a 4-0 loss away at the hands of Ramsgate.
There are several players Harborough will have to keep a close eye on throughout the match, none more than Inih Effiong. The Saints’ top scorer this season has found the net seven times since returning to his boyhood club this summer after 17 years away, during which he played for 15 clubs. Joining him in attack is Kai Brown, who has six goals to his name this season after also joining the club this summer following a fine season at Waltham Abbey last campaign, racking up 44 goal involvements in 45 games. At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Sam Donkin has kept four clean sheets so far this season; the 29-year-old joined the club in February 2026 from Billericay Town. A squad boasting plenty of experience mixed with youth will certainly prove to be a test in this fixture.
Harborough will be hoping to get back to winning ways after falling to a 1-0 defeat away at Macclesfield last weekend. The Bees will be encouraged by their home record this season, having lost only once at the Beehive. The most recent home game was the previous round, when the Bees overcame Rushall Olympic 1-0, with Michael Jacobs’ goal ensuring the Bees progressed.
Striker Britt Assombalonga leads the way with goals this season with three to his name, closely followed by Riley O’Sullivan with two. Both will be hoping to add to their tallies on Saturday in what promises to be an FA Cup spectacle at the Beehive.
🎟️ | Ticket Purchase Link – Buy Tickets Online Now
Harborough Town Football Club can announce ticketing information for supporters ahead of our Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round fixture against St Albans City on Saturday 3rd October 2026.
Match Ticket Prices
Adults: £18
Concessions (65+): £10
Disabled: £10
Blue Light: £10 – valid Blue Light ID required on entry
Juniors (14–16): £5
Juniors (5–13): £5*
Carers: FREE when purchased with a paying Disabled ticket.
Under 5s: FREE when purchased with a paying Adult/Concession ticket.*
* Please note that all supporters under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Season Tickets & Coach/Player Passes
Due to Emirates FA Cup competition rules, Fanbase season tickets and coach/player passes are not valid for this fixture.
Segregation
Crowd Segregation will be in operation at the Beehive for this fixture.
Home Supporters should enter via the turnstile to the right of the clubhouse.
Away Supporters should enter via the turnstile to the left of the clubhouse and will be situated at the top end of the ground, with dedicated bar, food and toilet facilities available.
All supporters are advised to follow the instructions of our volunteers on arrival, who will be on hand to assist with any enquiries.
Home Supporters
Home Supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through Fanbase.
Advance purchase will help supporters enjoy a quicker and smoother entry into the stadium on matchday.
Online sales will close at 11.00am on Saturday 3rd October 2026.
Following the closure of advance online sales, remaining tickets will be available to purchase at the Home Turnstile from 1.30pm.
Away Supporters
Tickets for away supporters are available online only via the Harborough Town FC Fanbase Ticketing Platform.
Advance online sales will close at 11.00am on Saturday 3rd October 2026.
There will be no away ticket sales on the gate on the day of the match. Any away supporters arriving without a valid advance online ticket will be refused entry.
Away supporters are therefore advised not to travel without first purchasing their ticket online.
Purchase tickets here:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/harborough-town-fc/22904