More home comfort is on offer for Dino after Cup draw
IT IS non-league opposition at the Pirelli Stadium again for Burton Albion in the second round of the FA Cup – with the possibility of a stiffer test than that posed by Southern League Needham Market on Saturday.
National League South strugglers Chippenham Town will be the visitors and while they play only one tier higher than Needham, they claimed a League One scalp on Saturday, beating Lincoln City 1-0 at home to reach the second round for the first time.
Unsurprisingly, Brewers boss Dino Maamria is happiest that the game is at home.
“The most important thing for us is the home draw,” he said.
“Our fans always embrace the FA Cup and they were brilliant again on Saturday, giving us so much energy.
“It doesn’t matter to us whether it’s a non-league team or top end of League One, being at home is what counts.
“No FA Cup tie is easy, especially when you are playing a non-league team and they have nothing to lose and they are playing at their maximum.
“Chippenham have shown that already by beating Lincoln, which was a huge win for them.
“We never underestimate anyone and this is a big game for both clubs with the possibility of going to the third round.
“We always do our homework and prepare the same way against every team.
“We left no stone unturned against Needham Market and will do the same against Chippenham.”
The ties will be played on the weekend of November 25-27. Date and ticket details will be announced once the televised games have been selected.
Chippenham will be an unknown quantity to the Brewers. Founded in 1873, they were variously in the Western League, Wiltshire League and Hellenic League until joining the Southern League for the 2000-01 season, the year after they reached the FA Vase final.
They won the Southern League Premier with 103 points in 2016-17 and have been in National League South since, reaching the FA Cup first round in 2019-20, losing 3-0 at home to Northampton Town, the same season that the Cobblers knocked Burton out of the competition 4-2 in the third round.
In their current squad is Brazilian winger Alefe Santos, who made one substitute appearance for Derby County in a three-year spell from 2014-17.
If the Rams beat Torquay United in their first round replay at Pride Park Stadium, they will travel to League Two side Newport County next.
Seventh-tier Alvechurch – the lowest-ranked side left in the FA Cup – face a trip to play League One Forest Green Rovers in the second round. The Worcestershire side won 2-1 away to third-tier Cheltenham Town in the first round.
Nineteen non-league sides were in the draw, with National League South side Ebbsfleet United drawn at home to League One Fleetwood Town, while fellow sixthtier club King’s Lynn take on League Two
Stevenage.