Generals hope to learn from FA Cup heartache

Sep 10 2010 By Greg Burns

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CHESHAM United begin their FA Cup quest this weekend and will use the heartbreak of last season to spur them on.

The Generals crashed out in the third qualifying round at Aylesbury, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, last October.

A 4-3 defeat left boss Andy Leese fuming and branding his team 'disgraceful' and 'woeful' as they were forced to watch fourth qualifying round opponents Wealdstone book a glamour first round proper tie at home to League Two Rotherham.

An eventual promotion helped the club forget the lost opportunity and they are hoping to go one better this season when they kick off in the first qualifying round on Saturday.

Burnham Ramblers, of the Essex Senior Premier Division and two steps below Chesham in the non-league pyramid, stand in their way.

And Leese will be warning his side to continue their hot form this season to avoid becoming a cup scalp.

"We take the cups very seriously," he said. "Not just because of the finances but also because of their prestige.

"We are in great form at the moment and hopefully we will carry that on and go on a good cup run. Burnham have done really well to get this far and will fancy themselves at home.

"Last year we were on the wrong end of a cup upset and we don't want to be again.

"I will be reminding the players about that before the game and we have to make sure we prepare properly and go about our jobs in the same way we have done so far this season.

"If we do that then we have the match winners in our team to see us through."

Chesham United reached the third round of the FA Cup in 1979/80 with wins over Merthyr Tydfil and Minehead before eventually going out to Cambridge United.

Progress to the first round proper can rake in £12,750 in prize money and a potentially glamorous tie against Football League or Conference sides.

But Leese is not looking that far ahead and said enjoying a good cup run is too unpredictable.

He said: "There are so many factors that go into making the first round proper including the luck of the draw. But we are not really bothered who we could come up against.

"We need to make sure we get our campaign up and running without any scares on Saturday and go from there."

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