Chasetown FC manager Charlie Blakemore has said thoughts of a dream Wembley final in the FA Trophy is the last thing on his mind as he prepares his players to face Eastleigh.
The Scholars visit the Conference South outfit tomorrow (February 5) after seeing off the likes of Workington, Grimsby Town and Kettering in a run which has re-written the club’s history books once more.
But despite his side’s undoubted knockout competition pedigree in recent years, the Chasetown boss is not expecting Eastleigh to roll over and make it easy for his charges to continue their fairytale run.
He told the Football Association website:
“We’re massive underdogs again, Eastleigh are playing at home and are doing well in the league above us. I have to be honest – I’m just delighted to be in the last 16, it’s a fantastic achievement and we’re not going to make it easy for anybody.
“But we’re still clearly underdogs and I’m not even thinking about making that Wembley final.”
Not only would a win move the Scholars into the next round, it will also see the club pick up a further £7,000 in prize money for a competition in which they have never before gone past the fourth qualifying round.
But if the Scholars are to progress, they may have to do so without striker Gary Birch who went off with a hamstring injury during his side’s midweek defeat against Rushall Olympic.
