Nantwich Town will welcome Vanarama National League North side Hereford FC to the Optimum Pay Stadium tomorrow (Dec 19) as the sides face off in the Third Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy, writes Jack Beresford.
It is the first time the Dabbers have got to the Third Round since their incredible run in the 2015/16 season which saw The Dabbers get all the way to the semi-final.
They were eventually knocked out by Halifax Town after losing lost 6-4 on aggregate after two legs.
The Dabbers started their FA trophy campaign with a 3-2 victory away at Southern League Premier Division Central side Redditch United.
A goal either side of the break from Callum Saunders and a thunderbolt from Prince Haywood helped the Dabbers progress into the next round.
In the First Round proper Nantwich hosted Northern Premier league North West Division side Workington AFC.
A 90th minute goal on the break by Scott McGowan (pictured) earned Nantwich a 3-1 win to send his side into the next round.
In the Third Round, The Dabbers made the short trip to Cheshire rivals Witton Albion.
This was an easier affair and Nantwich eased to a 5-2 victory with McGowan bagging a brace in the first half, and strikes after the break from Ben Harrison, David Webb and Luke Walsh late on.
Nantwich Town are currently the joint second highest scorers in the competition after netting 11 goals in three games.
They also have a man in form in McGowan who has bagged four goals in the FA Trophy, all of which have come in the last two games.
Nantwich manager Dave Cooke, who signed McGowan in the summer, said: “Scott gave everybody a lift.
“I thought his two goals were out of this world and I told the lads at half time that Scott has dug us out and we need to push on in the second half and that’s what we did.”
“Hereford is a huge game for the club and for the town.
“They’re a former football league side who have rebuilt themselves back to where they should be.
“It’ll be a great game to be involved in and were very much looking forward to it.”
Hereford – famous for their 70s FA Cup giant killing of the mighty Newcastle United – have only played one game in the FA Trophy after they joined the competition in the Second Round.
The Bulls hosted Southern League Division One Central side St Neots Town at Edgar Street.
Two first half goals from James Grimes and Kyle Finn put the hosts in charge at the break before former football league striker Lennel John Lewis sealed their passage into the third round as they ran out 3-0 victors on the night.
In the league, Hereford are 16th after picking up 12 points from their opening nine games.
However they have some dangerous players which the Dabbers will have to be wary of.
In Lennel John-Lewis, The Bulls have an experienced football league striker.
He has made more than 200 appearances for sides such as Grimsby Town, Lincoln City and Bury where he helped them to promotion from League Two.
The forward has made a blistering start to his side’s league campaign netting six times, including a brace in their most recent game against The Dabbers FA Cup first round opponents, AFC Fylde.
Other stand-out players include full back Dan Jones, and midfielders Ryan Lloyd and Tom Owen-Evans, who all have football league experience.
The game is home fans only, capped at 600 supporters. Tickets must be bought off the Nantwich Town website.
Kick off 3pm, Saturday December 19.
(Image courtesy of Jonathan White)
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