Welling United turn their attentions to the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday as National League leaders Chesterfield come to the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium in round four (3pm).
The cup clash provides Danny Bloor’s men with some respite from league action with dreams of a potential road to Wembley still alive.
The Wings have come through two rounds in equally dramatic fashion with a pair of penalty shootout victories on home turf – first against fellow National League South side Taunton Town, before seeing off National League North outfit Brackley Town in the third round.
Meanwhile, the Spireites entered the competition at the third-round stage, beating Southport 6-1 at home to set up the tie in DA16 this weekend.
THE OPPOSITION
After coming so close to promotion back to the EFL for their first time since their relegation in 2018 via the play-offs last term, Paul Cook’s men have stormed the National League this season, sitting top of the table.
Chesterfield currently have a nine point lead and two games in hand over second-placed Bromley, with 21 wins, two draws and just three defeats from their 26 league games played, so far.
They come into the game off the back of a 5-0 home victory over Gateshead on Wednesday evening which came hot off the heels of a heroic. FA Cup third-round display at Championship side Watford last Saturday, which saw the Spireites take the lead, only to eventually be beaten by a Hornets winner deep into injury time.
PRE-MATCH CHAT
Danny Bloor: “It’s a great tie and one we’re looking forward to. We need to concentrate on keeping the spirits high.
“We have to take some positives from last weekend – the second half gave us some solace. There’s no use feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to roll our sleeves up and go again.”
Chesterfield assistant boss, Danny Webb: “We had a lot of young lads playing in the last round against Southport and they did ever so well. Neil and his staff are doing a great job with the academy.
A couple of them have been out on loan and can’t play because they’ll be cup-tied, but a couple of them can. We want to win every game, although our full focus will be on the next league game against Altrincham, but I can assure any supporters going down to Welling that our academy staff or otherwise will do everything they can to get the win.”
TICKETS
Tickets for the cup clash against Chesterfield are available to purchase online in advance and will also be available for cash and card at the turnstiles on the day of the match priced £15 adults, £10 concessions and students and £7 U16s, while U11s go free with an accompanying adult.
Click here to get your tickets for the Wings v Chesterfield
OTHER INFO
Turnstiles will open at 1.30pm with the Wings Bar and upstairs bar open for all supporters.
Hot food will be available from the burger outlet on the right-hand side as you enter the ground. Meanwhile, the Travis Perkins bar will be open for teas, coffees, cold drinks, snacks and pies.
Post-match, a Man of the Match presentation and interview will be take place in the marquee at approximately 5.45pm.
The club’s official matchday programme, ‘The Wings’, will be available to purchase inside the ground for £3.
