‘It was a big scalp’ – ex-boss Daish reflects on Hawks’ historic first FA Trophy win against higher tier opposition

Hawks face a stiff test if they want to continue their charge towards a first-ever FA Trophy final at Wembley.
Joint managers Liam Daish and Mick Jenkins (right) look on during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth at Westleigh Park in 2003. Picture: Michael Scaddan.Joint managers Liam Daish and Mick Jenkins (right) look on during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth at Westleigh Park in 2003. Picture: Michael Scaddan.
Joint managers Liam Daish and Mick Jenkins (right) look on during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth at Westleigh Park in 2003. Picture: Michael Scaddan.

Paul Doswell's side, returning to competitive action for the first time since January 19, could not have had it much tougher as they bid to reach the last 16.

In what will only be their fourth match since December 19, they welcome Notts County - sixth in the National League - for the right to reach the quarter finals for only the fourth time in their history.

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It’s far from the ideal draw - the only harder tie they could have been given, based on league positions, is against Torquay - but Hawks can at least view it as a chance to send one of the big-hitters out of the competition.

Dean Blake in action for Hawks in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Tamworth in 2003.Dean Blake in action for Hawks in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Tamworth in 2003.
Dean Blake in action for Hawks in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Tamworth in 2003.

Since forming after a merger in 1998, Hawks have managed seven wins against National League opponents in the FA Trophy.

Memorable victories against Sussex fifth tier duo Lewes and Crawley in successive rounds were recorded in 2008-09.

Hawks also beat Braintree (2012/13) and Aldershot (2013/14) - the latter on their way to the semi-final - before knocking out Welling and Forest Green Rovers in 2015/16 on their way to the last 16.

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But it was former Pompey and Coventry defender Liam Daish, along with joint manager Mick Jenkins, who masterminded Hawks' historic first-ever victory against higher opposition.

Hawks defend against Tamworth in the 2003 FA Trophy semi-final second leg. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDANHawks defend against Tamworth in the 2003 FA Trophy semi-final second leg. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDAN
Hawks defend against Tamworth in the 2003 FA Trophy semi-final second leg. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDAN

That came in the FA Trophy during 2002-03 with another ex-Blues player, Paul Wood, and Tim Hambley netted as the Southern League Premier Division club produced a shock come-from-behind 2-1 quarter-final success at Forest Green.

Neil Grayson had put the hosts into an early lead with Wood bundling in a close range equaliser just after the hour mark.

Fourteen minutes from time. Hambley collected a long ball from keeper Aaron Kerr and struck the winner.

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Daish, now a professional development phase coach at Fratton Park, remembers it being a 'big scalp' for the club in what was only their fifth ever Trophy campaign.

Bobby Howe about to be dismissed during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDANBobby Howe about to be dismissed during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDAN
Bobby Howe about to be dismissed during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg with Tamworth. PICTURE: MICHAEL SCADDAN

He believes Doswell and co can claim inspiration from previous wins against National League opponents as they prepare to face the Magpies.

‘It was a big scalp for us at that time,’ Daish said of the victory in Gloucestershire

‘It was a good all-round performance. I always remember that we got invited into the bar afterwards as a team by the late Forest Green chairman Trevor Horsley.

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‘He was a great friend of mine. He was a great non-league man, great football man, and he invited Derek (Pope, Hawks chairman) and us into his bar and looked after us after we’d won.

James Taylor tangles with Tamworth goalkeeper Darren Acton during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg in 2003.James Taylor tangles with Tamworth goalkeeper Darren Acton during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg in 2003.
James Taylor tangles with Tamworth goalkeeper Darren Acton during Hawks' FA Trophy semi-final second leg in 2003.

‘We went down there with a good side, a good blend of players at the time.

‘We had some good experienced players and some good young players.

‘We went there - Forest Green were a well-established Conference side then - but we went down there and I remember it was a very competitive game.

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‘We stayed in there right at the end and, as the game evolved and carried on, we got stronger and stronger.'

Daish spent five years at Westleigh Park as a player and joint manager after retiring from the professional game with Coventry City in 1999.

His managerial highlight was reaching the 2002/03 Trophy semi-final.

Liam Daish celebrates with the FA Trophy after Ebbsfleet's 2008 final win against Torquay. Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images.Liam Daish celebrates with the FA Trophy after Ebbsfleet's 2008 final win against Torquay. Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images.
Liam Daish celebrates with the FA Trophy after Ebbsfleet's 2008 final win against Torquay. Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images.

Remarkably, all four semi-finalists were from outside the Conference - as the National League was then called - and Hawks were drawn against Southern Premier League rivals Tamworth.

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The Staffordshire club won 2-1 on aggregate - a 1-0 success in the first leg at home followed by a 1-1 draw at Westleigh Park.

James Taylor took the tie into the extra half hour, but after Hawks’ Bobby Howe was sent off in the first period of extra time Tamworth grabbed their vital leveller in the 111th minute.

Tamworth went on to lose 2-1 in the Villa Park final to Burscough, who had beaten Aylesbury United in the last four.

Personal success in the Trophy would follow for Daish.

During an eight-year period as Ebbsfleet United boss, he led them to Wembley in 2008 where they lifted the trophy after beating Torquay United 1-0 in the final.

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Daish said that day 'will stay with him for the rest of his life' and that Hawks should push as hard as they can to achieve their most 'realistic' chance of playing at Wembley.

‘They’re (Hawks) are not going to get to Wembley via the FA Cup or play-offs so there is this chance for some of these players that play at this level to play at Wembley stadium,' he added.

‘Let’s face it, if you’re being realistic, it’s probably the only chance of getting to Wembley (for non-league players).

'I was lucky to play at the old one (Daish skippered Birmingham City when they won the EFL Trophy in 1994/95), I was lucky to manage at the new stadium, which was a terrific day and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

‘These things don’t come around very often and if you’re lucky enough to progress, go on and win it, it’s something you can cherish as part of your football career.'