Giant-killing Generals eye another Emirates FA Cup first-round scalp

If Peterborough United are looking for the inside track on Emirates FA Cup first round opponents Chesham United, all they need do is consult fellow League One side Bristol Rovers.

Chesham, of the Southern League Premier Division, dumped out the Pirates 1-0 in the first round 12 months ago courtesy of Ryan Blake’s late winner, earning the club the Ronnie Radford Giant Killing award, which was presented at May’s FA Cup Final.

This season Chesham look even stronger, having won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions and sit ninth in the league table with up to four games in hand on some of those above them.

Manager Andy Leese, who agreed a new deal in April and has been in charge of the club for 10 seasons, is delighted with how his side have improved after they struggled to combine a cup run with a league title assault last year.

And the 53-year-old, who saw his side qualify for the first round by beating Potters Bar Town 1-0, says there is a feeling in the camp that they can match last year’s heroics.

“It is the holy grail for clubs at our level to reach this stage and we are delighted to be back doing it again,” said Leese, whose side were beaten in the second round last year by Bradford City.

“There is a chance of an upset. We won’t be overawed by it at all – we have more experience in the squad this year as well.

“We went to Bradford City last year and found that really difficult but we did not disgrace ourselves in the second round.

“Beating Bristol Rovers in the first round gave us the belief in the squad. We need to set up properly this year and everyone has got to perform to their absolute maximum and hope Peterborough play below their usual high levels but, because we have been there and done it before, we think we can again.

“There is an extra special buzz around the club and the town. We went decades without getting to this stage before last year and so the prestige of playing in it is felt by everyone.”

FA Cup history
Chesham reached the third round in 1979-80. They beat Minehead 2-1 away in the first round before seeing off Merthyr Tydfil 3-1 in a second round replay. Their run was eventually ended by Cambridge United 2-0.

Peterborough’s best saw a run to the quarter-finals in 1964-65, beating Queen’s Park Rangers and Arsenal en route before losing 5-1 to Chelsea.

Did you know?
Chesham are nicknamed the Generals because they were originally the football team of Chesham's General Baptist Church, which has since been renamed the Broadway Baptist Church. 

One to watch
Chesham have a number of dangerous players on their books, including Dave Pearce. 

The winger joined the club two years ago from Hemel Hempstead Town and finished as joint-top goalscorer last season with 18.

The prize
The winners of the tie will book their place in the second round draw and take home a cheque for £18,000.