CHIPPENHAM Town chairman Neil Blackmore says his club are "not just there to make up the numbers" ahead of the Bluebirds’ FA Cup first-round tie against Northampton Town on Sunday, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

The head of the Hardenhuish Park outfit revealed he has full confidence in manager Mark Collier and his group of players to provide one of the first shocks of the 2019-20 FA Cup against League Two Northampton.

Blackmore spoke of the increased attention on the Bluebirds since the draw was made and how there seems to be an endless amount of tasks to prepare for the big day.

But the chairman insists all the stress will be worth it when he watches his team play in the first round of the FA Cup for only the third time in their history.

Blackmore is expecting more than just a respectable performance, however, as he wants to see his side go out and win.

He said: “We’ve got a good squad who are playing well together. We’ve got a good combination of players, and we’ve got a good depth to the squad.

“We are going out there to win this game, make no mistake about it. We’re not just going out there to make the numbers up.

“We are going out there to win it, and why not? Yes, we’re the underdogs, but we’ve got as good a chance as anybody.

“I don’t think Northampton will particularly like coming down to our ‘little club’, and especially with all the Chippenham fans behind the team, it will be immense for all our players.

“I’m sure they’ll put on a really good performance.”

Confident that his team won’t be embarrassed at least on Sunday, Blackmore is not planning on it being the last cup tie his team competes in this season.

The Bluebirds chairman has already allowed himself to dream about doing it all over again at the end of the month and is hoping for a big championship club – such as Leeds United – at home in round two.

Blackmore said: “You can’t help but talk about who we would like in the next round and where would we like to play, but for me, I always want us to be at home against the biggest club possible.

“My target was to get to this round, and we’re here, so I’m really pleased with that.

“My next target is to win this tie and get another Football League club in the next round.”

Sunday’s match kicks off at 12.45pm, and supporters who have purchased tickets before Friday’s 8pm deadline have been asked to arrive in plenty of time.