Facing Tottenham in FA Cup behind closed doors 'would have been just like another game' for Hawks boss Paul Doswell

Josh Taylor pictured with Marine duo James Joyce and Josh Hmami during the FA Cup second round tie at the end of November. Hawks lost to a late goal and Marine are now looking forward to welcoming Tottenham. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

Eighth-tier minnows Marine are set for a glamour third round tie with the Premier League giants on Sunday after dumping Hawks out of the competition in late November.

Doswell was understandably devastated when his side were beaten by opposition from two leagues lower in the pyramid.

To rub salt into Hawks’ open wounds, following conceding a goal in the last minute of extra time, Marine were subsequently given a mouthwatering home tie.

Amid the pandemic, Doswell admits it would have been difficult to get 'excited about' the tie if Spurs were preparing to visit Westleigh Park.

‘I think the Marine game has definitely gone in our minds now,' he said

‘But as it’s panned out, I wouldn’t have been that excited about it (playing Tottenham), no crowds would have been allowed in and it would almost just be like another game.

‘Even the TV money was halved, so if you look at it then it’s not as big of a blow as it felt at the time when we lost.

‘No-one is even talking about it yet, they can’t even have people in the ground.

‘It’s a massively disappointing thing people having to watch it on the telly, it’s just not the same.'

Hawks are inactive this weekend as they observe a 10-day self-isolation period following positive Covid-19 tests within the camp.

Doswell won’t be tuning in on Sunday tea-time to watch Marine’s big game.

'I’ll be rooting for them (Marine) but they won’t be getting what they deserve,' he said.

‘It just sums up everything that has happened over the past year.

‘I won’t be watching it but I’ll be watching other games (over the weekend) that’s for sure.'