Hastings United vs Chesham United – FA Cup First Qualifying Round – Preview
On Tuesday 22nd September, Hastings United welcome Chesham United to the TGS Pilot Field for an FA Cup First Qualifying Round. Reward for United’s 1-0 win over Herne Bay is the visit of Step 3 Chesham who join the competition at this stage and play in the Southern League Premier South.
Important information: Attendance is by pre-purchased ticket only.
Recent form (and a bit of last and pre-season for the visitors)
United began the season in style recording a 1-0 FA Cup win over a very good Herne Bay side. Jack Dixon’s superb strike with less than 10 minutes remaining finally brok e the visitor’s resistance.
On Saturday the ‘U’s played their first league game of the season against Cray Valley PM. After a positive opening 30 minutes they then had to play for an hour with ten-men following Dixon’s red card. United defended from front to back as well as displaying attacking intent and, with that approach, they tempered the visitors man advantage. An entertaining game ended without a goal.
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Chesham United (of Chesham, Buckinghamshire) played their first competitive game of the season on Saturday, a league game at home to Gosport Borough which also ended scoreless.
Last season Chesham ended up in 2nd place on 66 points and were top scorers in their league with 70 goals. Their home form was very strong, 13 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, and whilst their away form was not quite as strong it still consisted of 8 wins to go with 1 draw and 7 defeats.
The ‘Generals’ (their nickname comes from the merger of Chesham Town and Chesham Generals just over a century ago) look to have had a healthy pre-season winning seven times, drawing twice and losing just once in what was their first friendly. Along the way they scored 21 goals and conceded 8.
Previous meetings
A short section this time around as none found!
FA Cup last season
At this stage last season, the ‘U’s had to settle for a replay after a 3-3 draw with Worthing. The following Tuesday and United were two goals to the good with less than fifteen minutes remaining only for Worthing to force extra-time and win the tie with a goal in the 119th minute.
The Generals meanwhile overcame Fleet Town 4-2 before falling in the second qualifying round, beaten 2-1 by Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Bottom line
It’s a bonus for United to have another home tie avoiding the 100-mile mid-week journey which Chesham need to undertake. And, not least, there’s £2,250 of prize money up for grabs to the winners.
A reminder, there are no FA Cup replays this season, to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule. Also, as this is a qualifying round there is no extra-time.
All of which means this tie must be completed at the first attempt, and if the match is drawn after 90 minutes the winner will be determined by penalty kicks.
Match information
Tuesday 22nd September, 7:45pm kick off at the TGS Pilot Field (Elphinstone Road, TN34 2AX).
Admission is by pre-purchased ticket only.
£12 for adults, £8 for concessions (OAP/Students) and £1 for Under-16’s (with parental supervision).