Wimborne Town FC will host Chatham Town in the FA Trophy Second Round on Saturday in a bid to reach the last 64 for the first time in their 147-year history.
The Magpies’ last and only time they made this round was in 2021/22 where they lost 2-1 to Larkhall Athletic, while they exited the qualifying round on penalties to Gloucester City last season.
Tim Sills’ side are unbeaten in six games in all competitions, a good run of form leading up to a possible record-breaking game.
Captain Sam Jackson is looking forward to the tie, saying: “We’re all really excited – it’s another chance to make club history (after achieving the club’s best ever finish last season).
“We’ve given a good account of ourselves so far this season, especially at home, so we are welcoming another challenge.”
The Southern League Premier South side have scored 15 goals and kept three clean sheets in that period, as well as having the best league defensive record, sitting 6th in England’s 7th tier.
Attributing a lot of that to his goalkeeper Cam Plain, Sills said: “Cam is full of quality – you expect every keeper to be a relatively good shot stopper, it’s the other bits that make a difference.
“When you’ve got that, your defence is more confident, [and] you feel like you can have a big foundation to build from it.”
However, the Magpies will be without their number one who is out with a shoulder injury after clashing with former Premier League striker Charlie Austin in their match against Hungerford Town.
New signing Kai Crampton is expected to start between the sticks, as the England Youth International joined on loan from AFC Bournemouth just over 24 hours before the cup tie.
The visitors come into this game with three losses in their last four despite a strong start to the season, still in third place in the Isthmian League Premier, the same level as Wimborne.
However, the three defeats were one against a National League South side, whilst they had to play with ten men in the other two, including their latest 1-0 defeat away to Ramsgate.
The Chats also have a very strong defensive record, conceding 12 goals in their first 14 games, one less than Wimborne in their respective leagues.
The Kent club will also look to make the third round for the first time, guaranteeing a new record no matter the result.
Wimborne beat 8th tier side AFC Portchester 1-0 after a late Max Bustamante goal in the first round, whilst Chatham dispatched Waltham Abbey 2-0.
The Magpies beat fellow Dorset side Weymouth FC in the third qualifying round, where they entered the competition.
Tim Sills will have Ajani Burchall back for selection after the Bermudan came on and scored within one minute back from injury against Hamworthy Recreation in the Dorset Senior Cup.
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