After guiding Sutton United to promotion last season, manager Paul Doswell feels the stage is set to realise a dream and progress to The Emirates FA Cup third round for the first time in 22 years.
Sutton, who sit 14th in the National League table, host Cheltenham Town – who secured an immediate return to the Football League last season but are now struggling in League Two.
The third round, one of the most popular weekends on the football calendar, sees clubs from the Premier League and Championship enter the draw – and Doswell admits he lies awake imagining a glamour tie against English football’s giants.
Sutton United v Cheltenham Town
The Emirates FA Cup
Third Round
3pm, Saturday 3 December 2016
Gander Green Lane
By Josh Doherty
“As a manager I’ve never been to the third round, I’ve been close, but never there,” said the former Eastleigh boss.
“I would be a liar if I said you don’t go to bed thinking that if you win on Saturday you could get the big six or seven in the Premier League.
“That’s the dream for every non-league club to get that big draw that financially sets the club up and give you that wonderful day of football.”
Sutton possess quality deep within their squad, with the likes of former Arsenal midfielder Craig Eastmond and ex-Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic playmaker Nicky Bailey on the books.
And despite there being a division between the sides, Doswell is expecting an even game at Gander Green Lane, with home advantage and a 3G pitch nullifying Cheltenham’s quality.
“I think it’s a 50/50 game at the moment, 50 per cent because of the home advantage and because of the pitch as well,” said Doswell.
“We went up to Crewe Alexandra to watch Cheltenham’s first round replay and we were very impressed, we thought they were excellent. But I do think our pitch and home advantage give us a real chance.
“You have to remember they ran away with the league last season and that was a phenomenal achievement.
“It will be extremely difficult regardless of form and we’ll have to be at our best to get anything out of the game.”
Sutton United stunned top-flight Coventry City in 1989
FA Cup history
Sutton United have reached the FA Cup fourth round on two occasions – firstly in 1970 when they beat Hillingdon Borough, before losing 6-0 to Don Revie’s Leeds United and 19 years later when they famously saw off Division One side Coventry City 2-1.
Cheltenham’s best performance came when they beat Kettering Town, Hinckley United, Oldham Athletic and Burnley to reach the fifth round in 2002 – before losing 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion.
Did you know?
Sutton’s victory over Coventry was the last time a non-league club had knocked out a top-tier side until Luton Town beat Premier League Norwich City in 2013.
One to watch
Sutton midfielder Craig Eastmond is a product of the Arsenal academy and made 10 appearances over four seasons for the club before moving to Colchester United after being released in 2013.
Eastmond, who can also slot in at right-back, has been a key cog for Sutton since joining in 2015 and went on to win the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards last season.
The prize
The winners will reach the third round, and a potential mouth-watering draw against a Premier League giant, as well as earning £27,000.
