FA CUP: Bluebirds avoid big boys (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

FA CUP: Bluebirds avoid big boys

11:56am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport By Dan Barnes

Chippenham Town have been drawn against one of the lowest-ranked sides left in the FA Cup after this morning's third qualifying round draw.

Nathan Rudge's Bluebirds will host Combined Counties League outfit Badshot Lea on October 6.

The Surrey villagers plyed their trade in the Hellenic League Premier Division before switching to the Combined Counties League in 2008 and have already claimed the scalp of two Isthmian League sides to set up a trip to Chippenham.

While the Bluebirds triumphed at Bishop's Cleeve in the second qualifying round on Saturday, the Baggies ran out 4-2 winners at home to Isthmian League Premier Division Leiston and in the first qualifying round, they beat Folkestone Invicta 3-2.

In the Preliminary Round, Badshot Lea beat Combined Counties rivals Egham Town 2-1 and back in the Extra Preliminary Round, they were held to a 1-1 draw by lower league Mole Valley before sealing a 4-1 victory in the replay.

The winners of next month's third qualifying round clash will net £7,500 in prize money and Chippenham's Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division clash with Bedford Town at Hardenhuish Park will be re-arranged.

MORE CHIPPENHAM TOWN NEWS IN THIS THURSDAY'S GAZETTE AND HERALD