PROMOTION-CHASING Fleetwood Town are targeting an FA Trophy win tonight at Chester.
The Lancashire club, who are managed by ex-Tranmere Rovers player Micky Mellon are currently sixth in the Blue Square North League table after claiming 33 points from 18 games.
And Mellon believes his Fleetwood side have fully deserved their trip to Chester in the FA Trophy.
Fleetwood defeated Northwich Victoria 2-0 in their third qualifying round tie to earn their first round proper tie against the Blues.
Mellon said: “In difficult conditions, we felt we more than matched a good, battling team and we fully deserved our victory.
“The very strong wind and driving rain never made for a great game of football, but we are pleased that we showed another side to our game and showed that we can win another way.
“We now know that we can compete and win ugly, if you like, but we still had some good performances.”
Victory was sealed by substitute Mike Wilde and the striker said: “I’m absolutely made up with the draw against Chester. All the lads will be looking forward to another test against tough opposition.”
Town have already beaten one Blue Square Premier club this season, knocking out Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup’s final qualifying round in a replay at Fleetwood’s Highbury ground.
And they will fancy their chances against Chester from the division above, though Wilde added: “We’ll be full of respect for a team who are a league above us and who were playing in the Football League last season.
“But I’m sure we can more than hold our own and it’s somewhere we can get a result.”
Mellon added: “We are delighted because it is a cup we want to do well in and we have progressed a stage further than last season.
“The lads have been brilliant lately and have turned in some fantastic performances.”
Fleetwood underlined their ambitions this week by tabling a five-figure bid for Northwich Victoria captain Simon Grand.
Town’s financially-troubled Blue Square North rivals notified all Football Conference and Unibond clubs last Friday that their entire squad was available for permanent or loan transfer.
Defender Grand was a Fleetwood target during the summer and Fleetwood have now renewed their interest.
The 25-year-old, who skippered Vics in their FA Trophy defeat at Fleetwood last month, is in his second season at the club following spells with Rochdale, Carlisle, Grimsby and Morecambe.
A Fleetwood spokesman said: “Fleetwood Town have contacted Northwich Victoria regarding Simon Grand and are awaiting a response.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Craig Dootson isn’t too surprised by his fine start as Fleetwood Town’s new number one.
He revealed he had never played behind a better back four in non-League football.
And that’s one reason the keeper is full of confidence ahead of tonight’s visit to Chester.
Fleetwood’s goalless draw at AFC Telford was Dootson’s third clean sheet in four games since joining Fleetwood from Blue Square North rivals Alfreton last month.
“This is probably the best back four I’ve played behind in non-league football,” said Dootson, who made five League appearances for Bury in League Two four seasons ago. “And I’ve played with some good centre-halves and full-backs.
“They trust each other, which is the main thing. There’s a lot of communication and the centre-halves are two very big characters, and that shows on the pitch.”
He certainly played a big part in that communication at Telford, where he admitted: “I’m losing my voice with shouting at people."”
Dootson continued: “I’d have taken three clean sheets out of four when I signed, that’s for sure, but it’s a good point at Telford.
“They spoiled our game but they didn’t really cause us any problems up front and we contained them quite well.”
And he sees no reason why their Blue Square Premier opponents can’t be kept under control at the Deva tonight.
“We have a really good chance and any team in the division above will give us the respect we deserve because it’s blatantly obvious that we are a very good side. Chester will probably be fearing us.
“The difference in the cup is that teams have to attack us and that’s when we do the damage.”
Dootson will start between the posts behind a back four of Shaun Beeley, skipper Michael Taylor, ex-Barrow and Vauxhall Motors player Steve McNulty, and 38-year-old Alan White who includes Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Sheffield United, and Nottingham Forest among his former clubs.
Sean Clancy will play alongside Jamie McGuire, Steve Connors, and Jamie Mullan in midfield.
And leading marksman Adam Warlow will partner Gareth Seddon in Fleetwood’s line of attack.