Isuzu FA Trophy preview: Jack Ellis warns Carlisle United to take Chatham Town ‘seriously’

Carlisle United defender Jack Ellis admits his side must take Chatham Town “seriously” as Mark Hughes’ men make the long trip down south for their Isuzu FA Trophy fourth-round clash this weekend.

The Cumbrians are flying high in the National League, having won three consecutive matches after suffering defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood before Christmas.

Due to postponements elsewhere caused by the harsh winter weather, Carlisle currently find themselves top of the table.

Their Trophy opponents Chatham are also enjoying a strong campaign, sitting third in the Isthmian Premier Division.

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Opportunity

After progressing through the qualification rounds, Kevin Hake’s side saw off Waltham Abbey, Wimborne Town and Plymouth Parkway to set up a meeting with Carlisle, who edged past Harborough Town in the previous round.

Ahead of the match, Ellis stressed the importance of the competition to the club.

“It’s a competition we want to do well in,” he told CUTV. “Obviously, an opportunity to go and play at Wembley, which would be really good for the club, so we want to take it seriously.

“We know they’re going to be a good side, I think they’re doing really well in the league, so yeah, it’ll be a tough game.”

Mentality

He added: “They’re going to be up for it. I think it’s a 3G surface as well, so it’s a different sort of challenge.

“I think they like to play football from what we’ve seen and heard, so they’ll be up for it. They’ll be full of confidence, I’m sure.

“They’re having a really good season themselves, so we’ve got to be ready because if we’re not, we’ll get punished. We’re all looking forward to the game.”

When asked will be key for his side going into the contest, Ellis responded: “I think mentality. We need to take it seriously. It’s not a competition we can mess around in.

“We want to do well, we want to get to the later stages and hopefully the final, so we’ve got to take it seriously and that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round Proper

Saturday 10 January 2026 (3pm kick-offs)

Bath City vs Southend United
Walton & Hersham vs Brackley Town
Yeovil Town vs Alvechurch
Eastleigh vs Southport
Marine vs Gloucester City
Chatham Town vs Carlisle United
Wealdstone vs Dagenham & Redbridge
Hornchurch vs AFC Telford United
Ebbsfleet United vs Forest Green Rovers
Hereford vs AFC Fylde
FC Halifax Town vs Anstey Nomads
Leatherhead vs Horsham
Scunthorpe United vs Clitheroe

Tuesday 13 January 2026 (7.45pm kick-offs)

Woking vs Macclesfield
Kidderminster Harriers vs Morecambe
Tamworth vs Rochdale

When is the draw for the fifth round proper?

The draw for the Isuzu FA Trophy fifth round proper will take place on Monday, 12th January 2026, live on talkSPORT2.

The clubs still standing from Saturday’s fourth round ties, and victors from Tuesday’s rearranged cup action, will discover their fate at around 3.15pm, as the competition edges closer to Wembley.

The draw will be hosted by Olly Clink, with former Arsenal, Carlisle United and Southend United defender Adrian Clarke on hand to pull the ties.

Fifth round matches are scheduled for Saturday, 31st January, with winning clubs banking £6,000 in prize money and the losing sides taking home £1,750.

The draw numbers for Monday are listed below:

1 Bath City or Southend United
2 Walton & Hersham or Brackley Town
3 Woking or Macclesfield
4 Yeovil Town or Alvechurch
5 Eastleigh or Southport
6 Marine or Gloucester City
7 Kidderminster Harriers or Morecambe
8 Chatham Town or Carlisle United
9 Wealdstone or Dagenham & Redbridge
10 Hornchurch or AFC Telford United
11 Ebbsfleet United or Forest Green Rovers
12 Hereford or AFC Fylde
13 Tamworth or Rochdale
14 FC Halifax Town or Anstey Nomads
15 Leatherhead or Horsham
16 Scunthorpe United or Clitheroe

READ MORE: Clitheroe gear up for trip to Scunthorpe United in Isuzu FA Trophy