WARRINGTON Town have made the long journey south to Kent this weekend to take on National League side Ebbsfleet United in the FA Trophy.
A win would put Paul Carden’s men just three wins away from reaching Wembley.
While that may be a pipe dream at this stage, the match offers another refreshing challenge to the Yellows, both on and off the field, as they continue to progress.
It’s now more than three years since the famous FA Cup victory over Exeter, which was followed by a not-disgraceful 2-0 cup exit at the hands of Gateshead.
A league title and league cup win later, and the Yellows are currently on the promotion trail to National League North – sitting third in the Evo-Stik Premier League and looking to move up the football pyramid.
Some might say that FA Trophy progress is an unwelcoming distraction from the league, but that will all be forgotten come 3pm on Saturday at Stonebridge Road in Northfleet, as the Yellows seek to add Ebbsfleet to the list of scalps from higher leagues in what is the first ever meeting between the two sides.
Between 2008 and 2013, Ebbsfleet were owned by MyFootballClub, which allowed members to pay and register to vote on transfers, team selection and budget.
It was during that time, in 2008, that they actually won the FA Trophy beating Torquay United 1-0 in the final on their only visit to Wembley to date.
And they may fancy their chances again this year. Ebbsfleet currently sit 10th in the National League, in touching distance of the play-offs, and have only lost seven of their 29 games so far – though two of those defeats have come in 2018 already, including a 1-0 defeat at home to Chester last Saturday.
They did end a run of a three games without a win on Tuesday night though, winning 2-1 at Maidstone United.
Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon told the club’s official website: “We might go all the way, Warrington might. There’ll be teams across the board feeling the same way. We believe we’re good enough to win games of football at this level and it’s the highest level in the competition so there’s no reason why if we get on a good run we can’t go all the way.
“Warrington are going well in their league, there’s no easy games of football and they’ll see it as a free hit coming down to us.
“We have to make sure we perform properly.”
The Warrington team travelled south today Friday and were invited to use the training facilities at Charlton Athletic.
The club’s best showing in the competition is the quarter-finals back in 1993.
They have already played seven games in the competition this season, including three replays, seeing off Bamber Bridge, Ashton United, Tamworth and Altrincham.
If the game at Ebbsfleet is a draw, there will be a replay at Cantilever Park on Tuesday night.
The Yellows have been hit with suspension though, midfielder Steve Jennings and defender Jack Higgins will be unavailable for selection.
Recent loan signing Devarn Green, who joined the club from Tranmere, is cup-tied having already played in the competition this season for Hednesford Town.
Road trip. Next stop Charlton Athletic FC! ⚽️🚌⚽️ pic.twitter.com/EbNpZIRHfZ
— Warrington Town FC (@theyellows) January 12, 2018
Road trip. Next stop Charlton Athletic FC! ⚽️🚌⚽️ pic.twitter.com/EbNpZIRHfZ
— Warrington Town FC (@theyellows) January 12, 2018
💛⚽️💙 Have a safe journey @theyellows. Have a fabulous time. @ChairmanWTFC, @paulcardy4, @MarkBees30, the hard work is paying off 👍 @JamesMccarten1 good luck to you and the lads. We’ll be there tomorrow to cheer you all on💛⚽️💙 #FATrophy #WTFCSupporters #Yellows pic.twitter.com/f0qxI8pbYX
— WarringtonTownSC (@WarringtonTownS) January 12, 2018
Read @ChairmanWTFC’s thoughts ahead of @theyellows #FATrophy clash with @EUFCofficial tomorrow: #WTFC #COYY https://t.co/PF3YgIYNGr
— CantileverCatchUp (@CantileverCU) January 12, 2018
