Chatham Town face another massive FA Trophy tie later this month.
Heading for the Bauvill Stadium in round five will be National League side Southend United.
Chatham’s league game at Canvey was postponed on Tuesday, which meant all eyes were on the fourth-round tie between Bath City and Southend.
Monday’s Trophy draw paired Chats with the winner of the rearranged midweek tie at Twerton Park. Saturday’s game at Bath had been called off at late notice because of a waterlogged pitch.
Southend beat National South hosts Bath City 3-1 to secure a spot in the next round and a short trip over the Dartford Crossing for the match that’s due to take place on Saturday, January 31.
The match comes a year after Southend were knocked out of the Trophy at the same stage by Sittingbourne, the Brickies pulling off a shock with a 1-0 win at Roots Hall.
Chatham are in the last 16 of the FA Trophy for the first time in the club’s history and beat National League high-flyers Carlisle United 1-0 at the Bauvill Stadium on Saturday.
Carlisle were top of the National League before that match and Chatham won’t fear anyone. They are now just three wins away from the final.
Speaking after the weekend win, Chats boss Kevin Hake said: “We’ve got to keep believing. We’ve got to keep dreaming – and who knows where it can take us.”
Chatham have already seen off Needham Market, Waltham Abbey, Wimborne Town, Plymouth Parkway and Carlisle ahead of the fifth round.
Prize money continues to rise, with £6,000 on offer to the winners in round five and £1,750 for the losing team.
Chatham have already picked up £18,950 in winnings and enjoyed another big gate on Saturday, with over 1,700 in attendance.
Chatham are the last remaining Kent side left in the competition after Ebbsfleet United were beaten by National League side Forest Green Rovers 2-0 on Saturday in their fourth round tie.
Hake will be pleased to have landed another home tie after the big win in front of their own fans at the Bauvill on Saturday.
“The fans are a massive part of what we do,” Hake said.
“Some of our bigger moments had been away from home so it was nice to be able to bring moments like that to the Bauvill.
“I was born in Chatham, born at All Saints’ Hospital just down the road. We’re proud of where we come from and hopefully we can give a little bit of light in people’s days, because that’s what it’s all about.”
The visit of Southend will ensure another packed stadium later this month and Chats have told their fans to “stay tuned” ahead of ticket details being announced.
