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Whitstable boss Lloyd Blackman admits he has already been in touch with Folkestone manager Neil Cugley after their sides were drawn together in the FA Cup.
The Oystermen are set to play the Isthmian Premier Division leaders on September 7 after beating Newhaven 3-1 in Saturday’s preliminary round clash.
Folkestone ran out 3-1 winners when the teams met during pre-season, summer signing Tarik Ibrahim getting on the scoresheet for Whitstable.
Blackman, who played for Folkestone briefly in 2008, said: “It’s a fantastic draw.
“I messaged Cugs (Neil Cugley) straight after and we had smiley faces on our text messages.
“Folkestone have been a fantastic side and it’s arguably one of the tougher draws we could have asked for.
“It will be a great day, a fantastic occasion, and we’ve earned the right to be there as well.
“We played them in pre-season, we probably know more about Folkestone than some of the other clubs and with my background being in Folkestone – living in Folkestone – it’s a special occasion.
“It’s one we’ll go into aware of the magnitude of the task but one where they’ll come to us and we’ll do our best to hopefully get a shock result.”
Cup excitement must be put on hold for now as Whitstable turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Sevenoaks.
Blackman’s men enter the game on the back of an impressive 3-0 league win over rivals Herne Bay, which leaves them in ninth on four points after three games.
He said: “It was a game that I thought we were thoroughly professional in our execution of how we set up tactically and how we performed.
“I think we limited them to only a few shots on target, they didn’t really trouble us in all honesty.
“When the opportunities came in the final third we were ruthless and clinical.
“There’s no question, we set up two completely different shapes on the Saturday and the Monday, and got two very good results.
“I think it’s going to show that the players are able to be versatile, as a group we’re still learning.
“It’s great that you enjoy those moments but certainly our focus will almost immediately move on to Sevenoaks, who have had a good start themselves.
“It’s going to be a tricky game, Micky (manager Micky Collins) has invested wisely, the recruitment has been decent.
“We’ll concentrate on what we can do and if we bring our A-game I’m confident that we will give a good account of themselves.”
Town had been due to face Herne Bay again on Tuesday in the Velocity Trophy but the game has been postponed due to Bay’s FA Cup replay at AFC Croydon.
