Imps tie is a free hit, says Mehew

Chippenham’s former Bristol Rovers midfielder is relishing big FA Cup encounter

TOM Mehew is happy to set aside Chippenham Town’s scratchy National League South campaign and enjoy “a free hit” against Lincoln City in the first round of the FA Cup today.

The sixth-tier Bluebirds host the Imps at Hardenhuish Park with Mehew among a number of players with Bristol Roves connections, in addition to Pirates old boys Luke Russe, Alefe Santos and on-loan Harvey Greenslade.

Of those players, Mehew has the strongest connection with the blue and white quarters. Not only was his dad David a fine player for the club in the 1980s and 1990s, but there was a time two years ago when it seemed a second Mehew would break into the first team. The EFL Trophy is often maligned, but it was a stage for the then-teenager to showcase his ability, and he took that chance. He scored a superb long-range goal, right, in his first senior appearance for his boyhood club in a 2-2 draw with Walsall in September 2020, and he followed it with another goal in the competition against Oxford.

There was clamour from fans for

Mehew to be given more chances in the first team, but by the time he left the club last summer, he had added just two more games to his tally.

But he has no regrets. He is proud to have played for the club and he is happy in life, continuing to develop his game in the sixth tier while working part-time. He dreams of returning to professional football, though, and he and his teammates are relishing the chance to face League One opposition today.

“For me personally, and for a lot of the boys, it’s the first time getting

through to the first round,” said Mehew. “It’s a good opportunity and something that we’ve never experienced before.

“Our manager (Gary Horgan) and his assistant (Matt Coupe) have had five or six between them, and they say these are the days you look back on when you retire. An FA Cup tie, especially for a non-League player, can be the highlight of your career if you get a good run. I think we’ve already sold 2,000 plus tickets. It will be great to play Lincoln and we’ll see what we’re really like against a proper League team.

“We haven’t been doing too well in the league, but everyone is really excited for this game. It’s exactly what we need, a week away from the league and a free hit.

“The pressure is on the league and we can enjoy Saturday and see where it goes from there. Hopefully, we can get a good result and that can kickstart our season properly.”

Chippenham have already hit the headlines once this season – but not for desirable reasons.

On August 13, Mehew was playing alongside another former

Rovers teammate, Pablo Martinez. Both men were released at the same time and joined up with Chippenham in the summer.

Martinez, 22, headed a ball out of play against Chelmsford City with Mehew close by. The ex-West Brom prospect then collapsed on the pitch and had a cardiac arrest and the game was abandoned.

Thankfully, he was treated quickly and transferred to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. A heart monitor was fitted and he should be able to play again when ready.

Martinez, pictured. will be in the stands at Hardenhuish Park today and Mehew says the players are eager to secure a memorable win for their teammate.

“It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen in person,” Mehew admitted. “He’s headed a ball two yards away from me. It was the hottest day of the year and I’ve walked past him to get a bottle of water.

“I looked back and I saw his eyes roll into his head and I shouted for the physios to get on. For someone so close to me, I’ve known Pablo for two or three years, it was horrible to see.

“Luke Russe and I went to see him a couple of days after in hospital and he was absolutely fine. He didn’t really know what happened, but the recovery he made was insane. He was fine and that helped everyone’s minds to see how well he was.”