It is a fascinating tie for us. It is the first time the two clubs have ever met and it gives us a chance to test ourselves against strong opposition from another league. The FA Trophy always brings that little bit of extra excitement. It is a chance for clubs like ours to dream of Wembley, to meet new opponents and to create those special days that stay with you for years. I really hope we can get a big crowd in tomorrow to give the players that extra push, it makes such a difference. Although we will have to have a 9.30am pitch inspection tomorrow morning because Storm Claudia has deposited a large amount of rain across the South of England

We go into the weekend looking to bounce back after last Saturday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Salisbury. It was not the result any of us wanted, especially after the level of performances we have seen recently, but it shows just how competitive this league is. There will always be highs and lows over a long season. What matters is how you respond and I know this group will be fully focused on putting things right in the Trophy tomorrow.

On the injury front there is some positive news at last. Lewis Rolfe is now fit again and got some minutes under his belt on Tuesday night on dual-reg which will really help bring him back up to full match sharpness, Ryan Upward continues to work incredibly hard in his rehab and, while there is still a long road ahead, we hope to see him back around early Spring next year, Matt Lench is only a couple of weeks away now and looking stronger every day, and Alex Lafleur has stepped up his fitness work with the aim of being back before Christmas. It has been a tough spell for all four of them, but their attitude has been first class and we look forward to welcoming each of them back into the squad.

Off the pitch we have had another great reminder of what makes this club so special. Last Friday’s Fireworks Night was one of our best ever. Hundreds of families enjoyed a fantastic evening at The Meadow. It takes a huge amount of organisation and volunteer time to put on something of that scale and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played their part. The smiles on people’s faces said it all. If we can tempt even a few of those families back tomorrow for the Telford match it will make the atmosphere even better.

This weekend is also an important moment in the National League 3Up campaign. For more than twenty years this league has been restricted to just two promotion places, despite being full of ambitious clubs, passionate supporters and increasingly professional setups. Every other nationwide league in the pyramid has three up and three down. There is no reason why the National League should be any different. We are not asking for favours, just fairness. Clubs from this division have consistently shown that they can compete in the EFL. As a club we are proud to add our voice and support the campaign. This is not just our fight, it is about the future of the game.

I also want to highlight one of our programme sponsors because this is a partnership that really feels like more than just a logo on a page. Complete Reformer Chesham, run by Kelly and her excellent team, has been a great addition to the High Street and a real asset to the community. Their Reformer Pilates sessions focus on understanding your body, improving movement and building strength safely, with rehabilitation at the heart of what they do. A number of us at the club have now experienced it for ourselves. The men’s first team took part in a session earlier this week, the women’s team have also been involved and two of our directors have been along as well. Kelly’s mission is to make high quality, expert led Pilates accessible to the people who need it most and that fits perfectly with our values around wellbeing and supporting the local community. If you fancy giving it a try, drop them a line at enquiries@completereformer.co.uk and they will look after you.

In the coming weeks you will also see more from us as we support the FA’s Take Action, Support the Game campaign. Respect and inclusion should be at the heart of football at every level. This national campaign highlights how reporting hate helps protect the game, focusing on the tiny minority who damage the experience for the vast majority. Last season, reports of discrimination and serious offences led to firm sanctions and that only happens because people are prepared to speak up. We are proud to be part of a movement that works to set the right standards and create a welcoming environment for everyone.

So the focus now turns to tomorrow. FA Trophy football at The Meadow, a new opponent and a real chance to progress. Let’s get as many people as we can down to support the lads and create the kind of atmosphere that makes this club what it is.

See you tomorrow and thank you, as always, for your incredible support.