Chasetown boss Swann hoping to roll back the years with FA Cup run
Mark Swann said his Chasetown won’t take Lutterworth Town for “mugs” as they look to embark on a memorable FA Cup run.
Scholars boss Swann needs little reminding of the magic of the cup, having been part of the famous Chasetown squad that reached the third round of the competition in 2007/08 towards the end of his playing career.
After an unbeaten start to the competitive season, Chasetown will look to avoid the potential banana skin of Lutterworth in the preliminary round tomorrow - as Stafford Rangers were unable to do in the extra preliminary round.
“The FA Cup and FA Trophy are competitions that we take extremely seriously,” said Swann.
“They are good distractions and it is good to put yourselves up against teams from different leagues, and Lutterworth won’t be any mugs.
“To turn over Stafford Rangers in the first week of the season showed what they are about and that they have got qualities all over the pitch.
“We will prepare properly and make sure that we give it our best shot.
“I was a part of the Chasetown squad that made it to the fourth round proper against Cardiff. It was an unbelievable experience, one that doesn’t come around too often.
“It is always going to be tough to exceed that, but even the first round is amazing and great for the football club. It is great for the players, it gets a bit of excitement around the place.
”You have to take it tie by tie, but it is a great feeling when you get to those later stages and closer to potentially drawing a football league club.”
Chasetown enjoyed a run to the third qualifying round under Swann in 2022/23, but have failed to get past the preliminary round in the past two seasons.
They enter this weekend’s clash after keeping two clean sheets in their Northern One West opening games and a 1-0 win over Shifnal Town on Tuesday.
Swann added: “I would have liked us to be a bit better on the ball in possession, but defensively we have looked a really resilient side.
“Two clean sheets and four points from two league games, I can’t really complain.”
Elsewhere, Sporting Khalsa welcome Sporting Club Inkberrow after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle Town midweek.
Meanwhile, in the Northern One West, Stafford Rangers go to Shifnal Town after beating Darlaston Town 1-0 on Wednesday.
