I interviewed Mark Burke today to get his analysis of the Hastings game and his first thoughts on Leatherhead:
HASTINGS UNITED
The reports that we had received about Hastings being a good footballing side were borne out in the first twenty minutes of the game. This reflected the confidence Hastings were playing with and the fact that we were adjusting to a new formation of 4-3-1-2. We were probably fortunate not to be losing after that 20 minute spell and then we started to see the benefits of the full press that we exerted on Hastings.
The players worked extremely hard throughout the match and I am pleased that we are now approaching the work rates that we have seen from our teams in recent seasons.
The timings of both goals were key and there was a visible deflation of the Hastings team when we scored these goals. Once again I was pleased to have kept a clean sheet and defensively we are looking very sound. All in all this was a very good victory against an exceptional young side.
FOURTH QUALIFYING DRAW
On Monday the draw was made and my wish for a home tie came to fruition. Having drawn Leatherhead or Hanwell I was able to take in the replay with my chief scout Ian Stratford. With Leatherhead winning and being higher in their equivalent league to us I consider us to be the underdogs despite home advantage.
Marks thoughts on the Bedworth and Tring games will be in Friday’s bulletin.
ROY IZZARD