A referee is set to take charge of a fixture involving Watford for the third time this season when the Hornets aim to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in five years on Saturday.

Gavin Ward has been appointed to take charge of the third round clash against National League leaders Chesterfield at Vicarage Road.

Valerien Ismael’s men will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky because they did not win either of the two Championship matches the Surrey referee has officiated this season – the 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers in August and the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City in October.

Ward has refereed a total of 15 league and cup matches in the 2023/24 campaign, showing a total of 59 yellow cards and one red.

The Spireites, who were relegated from League Two in 2018, are firmly on course for a return to the EFL and lead the National League by seven points with two games in hand on nearest challengers Bromley.

Paul Cook’s side have knocked out two Football League sides en route to the third round, securing a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient in the last round following a 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the first round, having beaten Kettering Town 5-0 in the fourth qualifying round.

Since reaching the final in 2019, Watford have been knocked out in the third round for the last four seasons.

Saturday’s tie has been designated the Graham Taylor Matchday when the Hornets will mark the seventh anniversary of the death of their greatest ever manager.

Lee Venamore and Adam Crysell are due to the assistant referees for the 3pm kick-off, with James Bell the fourth official.