Boss targets Scholars cup run
Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore has targeted more FA Cup glory despite receiving one of the toughest draws at this stage of the competition.
Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore has targeted more FA Cup glory despite receiving one of the toughest draws at this stage of the competition.
The Scholars' reward for last week's 1-0 win at Rocester is a trip to Blue Square Conference South side Cambridge City next Saturday.
FA Cup fever has again engulfed Church Street with supporters being urged to book their places on coaches travelling east to roar on the underdogs.
Cambridge, who went into today's action in 14th spot, are from the same level as Blyth Spartans who Chasetown famously beat in the fourth qualifying round to reach the first round proper two years ago.
Cambridge boast former Ipswich and Barnet striker Neil Midgley, ex-Tottenham youth midfielder Ben Bowditch, who has captained England at under-18s and under-19s and played for the under-21s, and seven-goal top scorer Michael Gash from Cambridge United.
But Blakemore is relishing a crack at one of the bigger fish - and has vowed not to play for a draw.
"They don't get much tougher at this stage of the competition," said Blakemore.
"We'd prefer to be at home. It's probably the highest level of opposition we've played since Oldham and it's away, so they don't come much more difficult.
"They will prepare properly for us - they will know about our achievements two years ago and we won't have the element of surprise, which makes it more difficult.
"But we'll go there with all guns blazing. We'll certainly be going there looking to win, not playing for a draw."
And Blakemore is urging the Chase area to turn into the A14 into a sea of blue and white.
"There's been a lot of interest in the tie already and the club are putting on one, maybe two coaches," said the boss.
The boot was on the other foot as Chasetown secured their place at the expense of one of their former Midlands Alliance rivals.
"Rocester set up to defend with nine or 10 men behind the ball and tried to make it very difficult for us to break them down," he said.
"But we deserved to go through and it was good to see Kyle Perry get his first goal of the season after being injured."
Blakemore has also been boosted by Joe Williams's decision to reject a better financial offer from Hednesford to stay put after a seven-day approach from the Pitmen.
But Blakemore said: "Joe has told me he's staying and that's a really big boost for the club.
"He's playing as well as he's ever played and perhaps because he's had two or three moves that haven't gone well in the past, he sees what we've got and the ambition of the place and is happy."
Striker Karl Edwards has also rejected a move, to Tipton.
Chasetown, who host Bedworth in the league cup on Tuesday (7.45pm), have also been boosted by news Neil Hawkins should return by Christmas after fracturing his ankle and damaging ligaments on an assault course.
