Chatham Town will attempt to write another historic chapter in their remarkable season this Saturday.
The Isthmian Premier side host National League Southend in the FA Trophy fifth round. Chats are just three wins away from a Wembley final.
A place in the quarter-finals of the national competition is at stake this weekend, for a Chatham team who are playing at this stage for the first time in their history, welcoming one of the biggest clubs left in the competition to the Bauvill Stadium.
Southend are currently chasing a play-off spot as they look to win a place back in the Football League.
The weekend game marks another major milestone in a memorable season for Chats – for both the men’s and women’s sides.
Manager and chairman Kevin Hake said: “This Saturday marks another huge moment in what has already been a remarkable season for our football club.
“Reaching the fifth round of the FA Trophy is the furthest we’ve ever gone in this national competition, and to be in the last 16 in the country is a real testament to the players, staff and supporters who have driven this club forward.
“Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of something special, it’s easy to take it for granted. But make no mistake, hosting a club the size of Southend United at the Bauvill would have felt like a dream just a few years ago.
“It shows just how far we’ve come, and how ambitious we remain.”
Chatham booked their place in the last 16 with a memorable victory over another National League side, Carlisle, in the previous round.
Matty Macarthur’s pinpoint free-kick clinched a 1-0 win for Chatham against a Carlisle side who were top of the table ahead of their visit to the Bauvill.
Southend arrive this weekend as one of the highest-ranked teams left in the competition.
Supporters are reminded that paper tickets must be purchased in advance, following police guidance, and will not be available on the day of the match. The club is open between 12pm and 5pm today (Thursday) and Friday for in-person sales.
The Trophy tie follows disappointment for Chatham last weekend, when they suffered a late 1-0 defeat at home to Billericay Town in the league.
Town failed to convert two penalties but Alfie Cerulli scored his spot-kick for Billericay in the 94th minute.
Tope Fadahunsi had seen his 88th-minute spot-kick saved and moments later Kofi Anokye-Boadi missed the chance to score from 12 yards.
Hake said: “Football can be very unforgiving, and Saturday was one of those days.
“We had a five-minute spell that summed it up, missed two penalties and got hit with a sucker punch at the other end when they scored theirs.
“We created enough chances across the game to win it and did a lot of things right but, ultimately, if you don’t take your chances, you run the risk of being punished – and that’s exactly what happened.
“This is a young and ambitious group. Days like that are part of the journey.
“We’ll take the lessons, use the disappointment to fuel us, and come back stronger. We’ve made great progress this season, and setbacks like this will only make us more resilient.”
Fans are advised to get to the Bauvill Stadium early for Saturday’s game to avoid the queues. All under-18s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The game will be segregated and Southend are expected to bring close to 1,000 fans.
The Essex club sold out their initial allocation of around 500 tickets within 30 minutes of becoming available and were then given an additional 448, which went on sale on Monday.
