With a wealth of Emirates FA Cup experience in the side and a manager who caused a giant killing in his time, Ebbsfleet United are looking to make the first round for the second time in five years.
Daryl McMahon joined Ebbsfleet as a player in 2013, the season after the club reached the first round, only to lose 4-2 to Carlisle United.
But after 5-0 and 7-0 victories in the previous two qualifying rounds Fleet are now within touching distance of the first round once again.
Merstham v Ebbsfleet United
The Emirates FA Cup
Fourth Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 15 October 2016
Moatside Stadium
And McMahon himself is no stranger to FA Cup fairytales. In the 2005-06 season the former midfielder was a part of the Leyton Orient side that reached round four, beating then-Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage en route.
And the 33-year-old is hoping his FA Cup nous, coupled with that of the senior figures in his squad, will be enough to carry them into the next round.
“They’re really positive memories for me and it’s a great competition,” he said.
“Everyone respects it as the greatest club competition in the world and it’s something that we’d like to go as far as we can in – we take it very seriously.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced heads; we’ve got Danny Kedwell who’s played for Gillingham and Wimbledon, and also Aaron McLean who’s played for Hull City in the Premier League.
Did you know?
In 2007 Gravesend & Northfleet became Ebbsfleet United and in November of that year 27,000 members of the MyFootballClub website each paid approximately £35 to purchase a stake in the club. In 2013, Fleet were taken over by the KEH Sports Ltd group of investors from Kuwait.
“Then Stuart Lewis had a good cup run at Gillingham a few years ago, and Mark Phillips has had a very good career in the Football League too, so we’ve got quite a few.
“There’s a nice blend of experience with those who have been through it, and then the young players like Jack Power and Darren McQueen, who are looking to progress up the ladder.”
National League South side Ebbsfleet have made a strong start to the season, sitting fourth in the league and are on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions.
And even though Isthmian League Premier Division opponents Merstham may be a step down the football pyramid, McMahon taking nothing for granted.
“A cup run is great, for exposure for the club and the players. It’s a chance to pit yourself against different sides,” he added.
“We go into the game in good form, we know the prize is a place in the first round proper, and we go into it in confident mood.
“We’re looking forward to the game, I’ve been to see Merstham play this week and they are a good side with some very good players.
“You’ve got to take each game as it comes, every game is different and they are confident and looking forward to the game too.”
FA Cup history
Ebbsfleet United reached the fourth round in 1962/63 – in their former guise as Gravesend & Northfleet – where they were eventually beaten 5-2 in a replay with Sunderland.
Merstham are already making history with their furthest ever run in the cup, topping the achievements of 2008/09, where they were beaten 2-0 by Hornchurch in third round qualifying.
One to watch
Darren McQueen has been making headlines in both league and cup this season, scoring four in each competition. His league goals have come from just three starts, and with four strikes in two cup games, the Merstham defence are sure to be keeping an eye on him.
The prize
A cheque for £12,500 is at up for grabs as is the possibility of taking on a Football League opponent in the first round.
