Like Sutton’s first pre-season opponents Havant & Waterlooville, Farnborough were in contention for the National League South play-offs last season but a poor run of six defeats in their last seven games left them eight points adrift in 12th place. They enjoyed a good FA Cup run, though, as U’s will remember only too well as Farnborough shrugged off the two division gap to win 2-0 in the first round at the VBS Community Stadium before going out at Wrexham in the second round.

Striker Hisham Kasimu impressed in that game and then joined Sutton in January, although injury prevented him from making his debut last season, but he has been involved in two of U’s friendlies so far and will look forward to facing his former clb on Saturday.

Farnborough have played four pre-season games so far, winning at Cove, drawing away to Beaconsfield and on Tuesday at home to Aldershot, and losing against Wealdstone last Saturday.

Sutton suffered a first pre-season defeat on Tuesday at home to Championship side Millwall following victories against Havant and Reading, but manager Matt Gray is pleased with the general progress made so far and U’s will look to continue that trend at the Saunderrs Transport Community Stadium.

Admission prices are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions (Over 65/Armed Forces/Students), £5 for age 14-17 and free for under 14s if accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be bought on line here or on the gate (cash or card accepted) – tickets bought on line carry a £1 booking fee.

Farnborough’s ground is in Cherrywood Road, GU14 8UD, and car parking is available on a first come first served basis, priced £2 – correct money is appreciated. Drivers are warned that the current roadworks at the M25/A3 junction in Wisley have been causing long delays on both roads, and this should be borne in mind when considering route and departure time.

Despite the rail strike on Saturday it is possible to go by train, with a half hourly service from Sutton at 11 or 42 minutes past the hour connecting with a half hourly service from Clapham Junction to Farnborough. Total journey time is an hour and twenty minutes. Do note, though, that due to the strike the last train back from Farnborough after the game is 17.50. The ground is about a mile and a half from the station.

Meanwhile the academy side will be in action against Combined Counties League side Fleet Town, kicking off at 12 noon. Admission is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and free for Under 18s. Cash only on the turnstile, although the bar inside the ground takes card or cash. Fleet’s ground is Calthorpe Park, off Crookham Road, post code GU51 5FA, just south of the town centre and about a 15 minute drive from Farnborough’s ground. Fleet station is served by the same trains as Farnborough, five minutes further away from London although the station is some way from the ground walking along Fleet Road  and then continuing at the crossroads by the Oatsheaf pub in to Crookham Road.