Chasetown boss wary of trophy foes

Chasetown manager Charlie Blakemore has warned his side to underestimate Eastleigh at their peril.

The Scholars have already dispatched big-boys Kettering and Grimsby en route to their FA Trophy third round showdown at the Spitfires tomorrow.

But Blakemore dismissed suggestions that Blue Square South club Eastleigh are a softer touch.

He said: "It's going to be harder. They are looking to be in the play-offs this season and anyone who thinks it's going to be easier is totally misguided.

"We've had them watched and they are a good side but we've got to take heart because we've competed with Grimsby and Kettering and they are two full-time sides.

"Everyone left in the competition knows the distance they face to get to the quarter-final, semi and the final, so it's going to be harder."

The Scholars are the lowest-ranked team left in the last 16 and have never reached this stage before but Blakemore, who is without 13-goal top scorer Gary Birch, doesn't intend to bow out now.

He said: "They will have looked at the draw and thought it was the best they could have had.

"They would have thought it was their perfect draw but we've got to turn it into a nightmare for them."

The winner will receive £7,000 and a place in the quarter-final, but Blakemore revealed Chasetown have already banked around £30,000 in prize money and gate receipts.

The cash is vital with the club planning to refurbish the Scholars Ground.

He said: "It's massive to have that amount of money for a club at our level.

"It doesn't sound a lot to other people but it goes a long way to covering the running costs for the year. It doesn't quite cover them but it takes a massive chunk out.

"We're trying to develop the ground and it's money we haven't budgeted for."