Manager Kevin Watson is targeting progress to the First Round of the FA Cup for his Chatham Town side on Saturday.

It is 82 years since Chatham Town last took their place at this stage in the world’s most famous Cup competition, and 84 since they progressed beyond it, so it’s probably fair to say it’s unlikely there will be anyone at Maidstone Road this weekend who can remember that game.

But with Chatham’s proud FA Cup history – they remain the only current Kent non-league side to reach the Quarter-Final stage, 125 years ago, when they lost 10-1 to the then holders, West Bromwich Albion – their return is long overdue, and maybe the current incumbants can create their own piece of history.

In their heyday of the 1920’s, it seemed as though Chatham were part of the FA Cup Proper furniture, reaching the First Round in four out of five years; their best in that run being a second Round tie against Norwich City in 1926/27.

That said, St Albans have an FA Cup record many non-league teams would envy, progressing beyond this stage ten times, with five visits to the Second Round. They also hold the (unenviable) record of having a single player score the most goals in a game for a losing side in the competition; Wilfred ‘Billy’ Marriott, their all-time leading scorer, who hit all SEVEN in their 8-7 defeat by Dulwich Hamlet.

Marriott’s performance was even more remarkable, as St Albans’ regular goalkeeper didn’t turn up for the game, and an outfield player took over between the sticks. But the modern day, currently lying 10th in the Calor Southern Premier league, they will be a tough opponent for Chatham, and looking to add their names to the club’s hall of fame.

After his side’s 2-0 win over AFC Hayes in the FA Trophy last week, Chatham’s manager Kevin Watson spoke to KSN about the cup tie, but reflected first on the club’s Trophy progress. “It was an excellent win today, a good performance,”

Kevin told us. “They’re a better side than we made them look, so all credit to us.”

Looking forward to arguably the Chats biggest game in over 80 years, the manager said, “it will be a very tough fixture, I‘ve no illusions about that. We can’t do anything to affect their preparation, so we’ve got to make sure we prepare correctly, and that we give a good account of ourselves.”

“The emphasis I’ll be giving the players is that we need a clear conscience after 90 minutes; win, lose or draw. If we’ve got a clear conscience, we can walk away from the game with no regrets. It’s a great opportunity and we need to focus and prepare correctly for the game. Hopefully we’ll enjoy it, but it’s not just about enjoying the occasion, it has to be a positive performance.”

With Medway seeing heavy rain during the week, and more due Friday and possibly into Saturday as well, Watson was keen to downplay any thoughts that there may be a home advantage, by jokingly saying, “I think our away record is better. Regardless of where we play them, it’s just a pitch. It was a bit heavy at the weekend, but Barry Adams and co. have done tremendous work on the pitch and it drains very well. We’ve had a lot of football on this pitch so far, but the surface will be fine.”

“I’ve had someone watching St Albans, and have spoken to Tommy Warrilow whose Tonbridge Angels side lost 2-1 at St Albans in the last round), and I hope they’ve got someone watching us.”

“That would show respect and be a compliment to us. It’s been very difficult to observe them myself because our commitment lies here, and by no means would I sacrifice being at the Trophy game at the weekend to watch them. The AFC Hayes to us was as important as the St Albans game.”

It is a St Albans side that Kent football supporters may know a surprising amount about, as there are four players in the current squad who played their football in the White Horse County last season – Richard Graham (Dartford), Chris Henry (Tonbridge Angels), Ben Martin (Welling United) and Ram Marwa (Ebbsfleet).

There are another four or five players who have plied their trade in the Ryman divisions, and alongside these are the familiar names of 43-year old goalkeeper, and veteran of over 1000 games in his career, Paul Bastock, and one of the most dangerous forward combinations in non-league football. John Frendo (44 goals in 48 games last season, 8 in 12 this) and former AFC Wimbledon striker Mark Nwokeji will provide a stern examination of any non-league defence.

With Gillingham and Lordswood playing away on Saturday, KSN are backing the club’s call for as many local football fans go to Maidstone Road to cheer them on. And why shouldn’t they; Chatham are currently on a seven match unbeaten run, so will be going into the game with confidence.

But the manager was quick to praise the attitude of his players, explaining “We’ve got a good squad and have rotated recently. Obviously we’ve picked up the injury with Corey Holder (who ten days ago had surgery to remove his spleen following the 2-2 draw at Romford), but I’m hoping he’ll be at the game which will be a huge lift for us, but everyone else is pushing for selection.”

“There is competition and people are going to be disappointed to be left out. The difference with last season is that no-one knows for certain who is in the team, but they all turn up; sometimes even we don’t know!”

“It’s good because it doesn’t allow any complacency to set in, which keeps people on their toes. People have to be patient, which can be difficult when you’re not starting. We were working out that we’ll probably end up playing about 60 games this season; with the league expansion and the cup runs, so we’re going to need everybody pulling in the right direction.”