Lincoln City will be hoping to progress in the FA Cup for the first time in three years, as they travel to National League South outfit Chesham United on Monday night.
ITV cameras will be watching on as Chesham, who have already played four games in this season’s competition, look to cause a major ‘cupset’ in Buckinghamshire.
The Imps, who have hit a good patch of form, sit fifth in SkyBet League One, 77 places above their hosts in the football pyramid, who are tenth in the sixth tier. Michael Skuabla says he wants his team to “take the game to them as much as possible” as his side look to progress into the second round.
Opposition: Chesham United
Off the back of a sensational 2023/24 campaign which saw them promoted to the National League South, Chesham have been gripped by FA Cup fever this term and have deservedly earned themselves a big football league tie in the first-round proper.
The Generals, who are perhaps best known for TV presenter Alex Horne being a director at the club, play at The Meadow in front of a regular crowd of around 1,000. But, with big name EFL stars in town a capacity crowd can be expected for the game.
Having already got past Cray Valley, Bishop’s Cleeve and Yeovil Town to reach this point, co-manager Michael Murray has told the BBC: “We believe if we can give a good account of ourselves there’s no reason why we can’t get a result.”
It is not just in cup action they have impressed though, as the newly promoted side sit tenth in the National League South, just one point outside the play-off places.
Team News:
Jovon Makama returned to action from the bench in City’s Tuesday night win over Northampton Town. The 20-year-old assisted Erik Ring’s late winning goal and could be back in contention for a start in cup action.
Tom Hamer was forced off at half-time against Northampton after rolling his ankle in the first half. Assistant coach Tom Shaw offered a worrying update on the defender: “It didn’t look great to be honest and he’s a tough kid so when Tom Hamer goes down you know something is not quite right.”
It remains to be seen how long he will be side-lined.
Shaw also issued a post-scan update on Ethan Erhahon, who was forced off early on against Stockport County, saying: “He’ll miss a little period, but nothing too major.”
FA Cup History:
Lincoln City will be hoping to replicate their best run in the FA Cup which came under Danny and Nicky Cowley in 2016/17. The Imps beat Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Premier League Burnley to reach the quarter-finals, before losing to giants Arsenal in a memorable day out at The Emirates.
In recent years, though, memories have not been so positive with consecutive first round defeats to Morecombe and Chippenham Town in 2023 and 2022 respectively. Chippenham where playing at the same level as Chesham, so the Imps will be hoping to avoid a similar shock exit this time around.
As for Chesham, they are bidding to match their best ever run in the competition by reaching the second round. They first did so in spectacular style in 2015/16 when they defeated League Two’s Bristol Rovers away from home.
Lincoln City’s JJ McKiernan Up for the Cup:
JJ McKiernan, who was part of the Morecombe side that beat Lincoln City in last year’s FA Cup, will be hoping to avoid an upset this time around rather than cause one.
McKiernan has struggled for league minutes since his summer arrival, and is keen for the Imps to be as professional as they can in approaching the game.
He said: “I think it’s just about training well up until the game and not taking anything for granted. It’s human nature to sometimes take things for granted but it’ll be well drilled into us and we’re all pros so we know how to approach the game.”
The 22-year-old is the only link Lincoln City have to Chesham United, as a teacher from his scholar days, is now managing The Generals. On the link, he said “He’s a great guy, so it’ll be good to see him but hopefully we’re on the right side of the game.”
Chesham United vs Lincoln City takes place on Monday, November 4, at 7.15pm.