Hook Norton hit the south as FA Cup adventure continues

Hook Norton are enjoying the best trip of their lives in the Emirates FA Cup but boss – and primary school teacher – Joe Davies insists they do not want it to end this weekend against Eastbourne United.

Prior to this season the only FA Cup tie Hooky contested came in 2010–11 when they fell to a 6-1 home defeat to Laverstock & Ford in the extra preliminary round.

This term they have already registered wins against Frimley Green and Burnham – after extra time in a replay – and head to Eastbourne on Saturday for the first round qualifying in high spirits.

Davies’ side won the Hellenic Football League Supplementary Cup last season and the 26-year-old, who teaches at Bloxham Primary School, says he is getting accustomed to knockout football.

“I’m really looking forward to the game, especially after coming through the last tie against Burnham who are two leagues higher than us,” said former Banbury United player Davies, who was forced to retire at 24 due to a serious knee injury.

“I think they underestimated us in the first game, they played a weakened side and we were really unfortunate not to win it.

“In the replay they made six changes and when we went 1-0 down I thought ‘here we go’, but to be fair to the lads we played superbly after going behind.

“We only played one game in the competition before this season so this is all new to us. We’re turning into a bit of a cup side though. Everyone gets excited when you’re on a cup run.

“I think the difference has been the players we have got now are at the right age. Most are around 24 and 25, they’re not kids any more. I still look at them as kids, but I’ve seen them develop over the past year or so and it has been great.”

Eastbourne United also have an honourable recent record in knockout football having made the FA Vase semi-finals in 2014.

However, the last time United made the FA Cup second round qualifying was back in the 1980s, and assistant manager Tobi Hutchinson remembers being a ball-boy at The Oval during those heady years.

“I do recall the game [against Hastings United which went to a replay] in 1983, I’m an Eastbourne lad so I was involved from an early age before playing for the youth teams and eventually the senior side,” said Hutchinson.

“It’s been too long for the club to reach this stage. I’m a bit old school, I believe in the magic of the Cup. Whenever you play in the competition it is a big day and it’s something to look forward to.

“Even going on a little run is a big deal for a club like Eastbourne United.”