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Maidstone United take on Chippenham Town in the FA Cup hoping to repeat last season's experience in the competition

Maidstone United aren’t satisfied with one FA Cup run.

Boss Jay Saunders says his side are desperate to take United into the first round proper for the second year running.

They travel to Southern League Premier Division Chippenham in the final qualifying round on Saturday, 3pm.

Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps
Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps

The Wiltshire club play a level below National League South Stones but sit third in the table and are unbeaten at home.

United upset Welling at this stage last season but know they are expected to beat Chippenham and take their place in Monday’s televised draw (BBC2, 7pm).

Saunders said: “The lads are desperate to reach the first round again. You hear them talking about it and it came up with everyone I signed in the summer. It feels a bit different this year where we came into it later but there’s still the same buzz to do well.”

United handled the favourites tag against South Park and Dunstable in the previous qualifying rounds and know what’s needed at Chippenham.

Saunders said: “Everyone says the Southern League isn’t the strongest but I don’t go along with that. It’s a good league and Chippenham are doing well. Our lads have had a good attitude this year.

“We’ve done well so far but it only needs two or three not on it and all of a sudden it becomes a difficult game. People say the league is the priority but I felt it was different this year because going into a new league there wasn’t the level of expectation.

“There is now because we’ve had a good start but I’d still like another cup run.”

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