I DON’T think Takeley lived up to their billing at the weekend. We got an early goal and stamped our authority on the game so they never had a chance to impose themselves on us. They had won every game so I was expecting a little bit more but we negotiated it well.

David Knight scored four goals and it was lucky we had someone filming the Sudbury game otherwise he wouldn’t have been playing against Takeley. I am indebted to Joe Corey Junior for that as it gave us a chance to appeal and thankfully common sense prevailed. But historically we wouldn’t have had it filmed and would have been missing David for the FA Cup game and this Saturday’s game.

We also conceded our first goal of the season. We were cruising and we stepped away from basic protocol and gifted them a goal. It really took the gloss off the win and the dressing room was bitterly disappointed at half-time, which demonstrates the players are holding themselves to higher standards.

I did not have a good record in the FA Cup and it has been a long time coming so progressing through two rounds has been pleasing.

We drew Hemel Hempstead Town, which wasn’t a kind draw so whether we will progress we will see but in terms of what we need to do financially it is job done. It has put in the tin what we needed to put in. So we will try and enjoy it.

I wasn’t too worried about the opposition when the draw was made so it’s a free one for us. If you are Hemel you are happy I suppose and for us it’s great to be taking on an opposition of that calibre. It couldn’t have been much tougher. I would have rather been drawn against a Billericay Town as then we would get a decent gate but it is what it is.

Our first home game on our new pitch is against Felixstowe & Walton. They lost to Great Wakering but have taken a lot of players from Leiston. They are getting good gates and you will see them up and around the play-offs all season.

But we are excited to get going.