CHELMSFORD City and Hampton & Richmond Borough have their fingers crossed that an incredible fourth attempt to play their FA Trophy First Round replay won’t be scuppered by weather conditions again as they go head-to-head at Melbourne Stadium tongiht.

The two sides aim to finally compete for �5,000 worth of prize money plus a place in the Second Round, where they’d travel to former Football League club Hereford United. Having gone out of the FA Cup since the teams last met, Glenn Pennyfather’s Chelmsford men are now focussing on this potential path to Wembley.

Looking to respond quickly to Saturday’s league defeat at leaders Salisbury City, Glenn explained: “We know what Hampton are all about, and it’s unlikely the sides will approach the game much differently to any of the other times we’ve set-up for the tie! Status suggests we should win - but it doesn’t always work out like that. We have to be ready for a battle against a side we found it difficult against before.”

City’s Max Cornhill opened the scoring with a 53rd-minute tap-in at the Beveree over a fortnight ago but Beavers forward Charlie Moone rifled home a leveller ten minutes later to book a second attempt at an upset for the Ryman League Premier Division club. The game will kick-off at the earlier time of 7:30pm to provide for a potential extra 30 minutes and penalties if the tie is level again after the final whistle.

Goalkeeper Stuart Searle is an injury concern for the Clarets boss after dislocating his finger towards the end of last week. In addition, the arrival of several new faces recently means defender Nicolas Bondon and striker Gonzalo Onega have been released to seek regular football elsewhere. Colchester United loanees Bradley Hamilton and Tom Bender are ineligible for this reply, having signed after the original tie.