Danny Chapman has plenty of Emirates FA Cup history with Harlow Town and the current Hawks boss is intent on replicating one of his best moments in the game by beating Braintree Town this weekend.
Isthmian League Division One North outfit Harlow are three divisions below Saturday’s opponents Braintree, but know that victory will send them into the first round proper.
And Chapman was playing for the Hawks when they last reached the first round – back in 2008 – and played in the 2-0 loss to then fourth-tier side Macclesfield.
Braintree Town v Harlow Town
The Emirates FA Cup
Fourth Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 24 October 2015
Avanti Stadium, Braintree
Winners receive £12,500 from prize fund
By Luke Baker
Click here for fixtures
This year they have already won four games in the competition, including a replay victory over National League South side Bath City.
While they will be underdogs against Essex rivals Braintree, Chapman is adamant they have the players to spring a surprise.
"The talk before the Bath game was that they are a few divisions above but we’ve got experienced pros in the squad, like Ibrahima Sonko who has played in the Premier League, who know how to handle it," he said.
"It would still be a scalp beating Braintree but there’s a few of the players who will just be looking at it as another game they want to go and win.
"We’ve got to respect Braintree because of the league they are in and the players that they’ve got but we can’t be fearful.
"Everything about making it through to the first round proper would be great. There’s the financial gains and the exposure which is massively important.
"I was a player in the side the last time Harlow made it to the first round proper when we played Macclesfield.
The fourth round qualifying takes place across the country this weekend
"It was a fantastic day – there were over 2000 people there and it was a big event for the club."
Braintree are going well in the National League this term, currently lying eighth despite their part-time status.
Manager Danny Cowley joined from Concord Rangers in the summer after leading the Canvey Island-based side to three promotions in his eight years there.
As a player, he turned out for Saturday’s opponents Harlow and while he is looking forward to facing his old side from the dugout, he is wary of the Hawks despite their underdog status.
"I played for Harlow and I had some really good times there," said Cowley. "I had six seasons playing there – it’s a great club and there are a lot of people at Harlow that I’m close to.
"It will be good to see some familiar faces on Saturday but first and foremost it’s about us trying to win the game.
"We’re under no illusions how tough it will be. We will undoubtedly be deemed the favourites but Harlow are a big club and the size and infrastructure of the clubs are not too different.
"Harlow have got players that are far better than the division they are in and we will have to be at our very best if we want to get through and maybe meet one of the Football League clubs in the first round proper."
