Eastleigh have a shot of producing history tomorrow in South Wales if they win their FA Cup tie against Newport County and progress into the fourth round for the first time ever.
The Spitfires have reached the third round of the World’s oldest cup competition for the third time in nine years following their last gasp winner against Reading, in a 2-1 victory, last month.
The Hampshire side started their journey in the FA Cup this season in the last qualifying round with a 1-0 win against National League South side, Dover Athletic, in an uninspiring game.
In the first round, Eastleigh breezed past fellow National League side, Boreham Wood, in an enthralling 5-1 win with veteran Chris Maguire sprinkling his magic as the Scotsman scored twice whilst picking up two assists, as he showed his class.
Several players have stood out for the Spitfires this season but the brightest of their stars has to be striker Paul McCallum.
Eastleigh’s main man, McCallum, has been ruthless in front of goal this season, bullying defenders whilst scoring 22 goals in 25 appearances after re-signing for the Spitfires in the summer.
The 30-year old has been pivotal in their success this season, scoring a brace against League One Reading in the last round and more recently dispatching an empathic hat trick in Eastleigh’s last league game against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Richard Hill’s side are playing away in the competition for the first time this campaign where they face League Two opposition at Rodney Parade.
The Ironsides sit 18th in League Two and will look to stop Eastleigh from creating history, however, Newport have had their own success in recent years in the FA Cup.
They knocked out Championship side Leeds United in 2018 and a year later they beat then-Premier League side Leicester City, with both victories coming at home.
