Influential Chasetown FC midfielder Dave Egan believes no team would have fancied pulling the Scholars out of the hat in the FA Trophy quarter final draw.
Charlie Blakemore’s men will face either Mansfield Town or Alfreton Town at home on February 26 after their 3-1 win at Eastleigh.
But Egan admits Chasetown will have nothing to fear, no matter who wins the replay tonight (February 8) for the right to make the trip to the Scholars Ground in the last eight of the competition.
And with the potential of a Wembley final just over the horizon, the midfield man believes the squad have all the incentive they need to continue a run that has seen them dispose of Workington, Kettering Town and Grimbsy Town already.
He told The Lichfield Blog:
“I really didn’t care who we got in the next round. We will be a tough game for anyone at the moment and I bet most teams will have wanted to avoid us now.
“Of course we speak about Wembley – it’s an amazing dream. And so we should too as that’s the motivation that keeps driving us on.”
Egan is a player who shares a close bond with the Scholars support, who turned out in force for the long trip south against Eastleigh.
The travelling ‘blue army’ made up more than half of the attendance against the Spitfires and the midfielder is keen for them to replicate the atmosphere at every game from now until the end of the season. He said:
“The support was awesome and it really does make a huge difference. When we scored the third goal and I got to celebrate with all the fans it was one of the best feelings I’ve had in football.
“I just wish they could be as vocal in every game as they could make our home games have a brilliant atmosphere. I hope we get an even bigger crowd for the next round and have even more people singing!”
The Eastleigh victory has become the latest addition to a string of cup upsets under boss Blakemore.
The Chasetown chief is a renowned motivator, but it is the team spirit he has created that Egan believes is the real key to the Scholars’ continual heroics.
He explained:
“Charlie’s great at getting us fired up, but that’s not the reason we keep winning these games as we should be fired up as players anyway. The real secret is his management style. His teams are always full of hard workers and makes sure the team spirit is high – and he loves a fit squad!
“There’s no room for a luxury player in one of his teams and that’s great as players when you are able to look out on the pitch and see everyone running their socks off.
“In these big cup games we don’t give teams a second on the ball and not many teams can match us for desire. Plus, when we win the battle we can play a bit too.”
Chasetown won’t have time to keep an eye on the Mansfield and Alfreton replay, though, as the Scholars face a vital league game against Buxton tonight (February 8). The game kicks off at 7.45pm at the Scholars Ground.