Boss hails Chasetown trophy heroes

Stunned Chasetown manager Charlie Blakemore has hailed his Scholars heroes and admitted their FA Trophy run is "unbelievable."

They shocked Blue Square South outfit Eastleigh 3-1 on Saturday to net a quarter-final spot, a home tie against Mansfield or Alfreton, and pocket an extra £7,000.

Richard Davies, Danny Smith and Ben Jevons helped the Scholars continue their trophy run, having already knocked out Kettering and Grimsby, to leave them three games from Wembley.

And Blakemore, who took the club to the FA Cup third round in 2008, admitted the achievement has left him beaming.

He said: "It's unbelievable, it's the last eight of a national competition and Chasetown are left in with the big boys.

"You can't believe it, when you kick the season off you don't expect to have something like this. It's a dream. Every side we've played on this run has been at a higher level, with the exception of the early rounds and we've been fantastic.

"We haven't had an easy time, we've only played at home twice and that was against Kettering and Grimsby, and the lads have been outstanding.

"I would say the journey to the quarter-final is just as challenging as getting to the third-round of the FA Cup.

"It's right up there with whatever we've done before."

The Scholars could face big hitters Luton or Darlington in the quarter-final on February 26 but after an historic run - Chasetown had never before reached the first round - Blakemore doesn't care who they play.

He said: "Whoever we draw it has been a fantastic run."