'It's the best competition in the world' - Hawks and Paul Doswell keen to write new FA Cup chapter

When Maxime Biamou struck Sutton United's second goal in the 3-1 FA Cup third round replay victory in January 2017 - Hawks boss Paul Doswell had experienced no greater 'one-off' rush of emotion.

The celebrations began soon after as the U's had secured a home meeting with then-Championship side Leeds United at Gander Green Lane - and £250,000 in TV money for the club.

As most will know, Sutton's remarkable story in the 2016-17 FA Cup didn't stop there as a fifth round meeting with Premier League giant Arsenal was secured after a giant-killing of the Lilywhites.

It's moments like when non-league the U's hosted the Gunners or the Hawks' unforgettable trip to Anfield to take on the might of Liverpool in 2008 is why Doswell views the competition as 'the best in the world'.

Although there remains some work still to be done before the former Sutton boss and his current Hawks squad can start to dream of facing a Premier League giant this season.

Eighth tier Marine FC - not being taken lightly after dumping National League North Chester and League Two Colchester out of the competition - provide Sunday's second round opposition.

It's the one final bit of 'pressure' for Doswell - having come up against lower division opponents in three of their four FA Cup rounds this term - before the excitement really begins.

‘I think it’s the best competition for non-league teams in the world,' said the Hawks boss.

‘Where else could a manager like me and my players get to play against Arsenal and Sanchez (Alexis), Walcott (Theo) and Oxlade-Chamberlain (Alex)? It’s just impossible.

‘I don’t know any other competition in the world that allows non-league players to get an opportunity to play against a Premier League side. That’s what Marine and others have got an opportunity to do on Sunday.

‘It’s that opportunity to get a big draw.

‘I’d still probably put promotion as an overall (better feeling) but for that one-off hit of emotion - I’d say the Wimbledon game for me (at Sutton) when we knew we had Leeds in the next round and we knew it was going to be £250,000 in TV money alone.

‘When we scored the second goal and went 2-1 up - I think that’s the best feeling I’ve had in football.

‘I wouldn’t say Sunday is that exciting for me, it’s just about getting through.

‘I think if we get through and the excitement for the draw and everything else that follows is so much more fun then Sunday.

‘Sunday is pressure for me then after that it’s all good fun.’

From that Sutton side which reached the fifth round, Roarie Deacon, Ross Worner and Bedsente Gomis are all now part of the Hawks squad.

Meanwhile, assistant manager Ian Baird and coach Simon Walton are also at Westleigh Park with Doswell.

The Hawks boss believes that FA Cup experience within the group will work to his side's advantage on Sunday.

But he insisted it's just going to come down to who performs on the day with the winner guaranteed a spot in the third round.

‘You’ve got myself, Bairdy (Ian Baird and Simon (Walton) (along with Ross Worner, Roarie Deacon and Bedsente Gomis) that were all part of that Sutton run so there’s six of us that have experienced it,' added Doswell.

‘The simple answer is yes (FA Cup experience will help).

‘You don’t have to go and win the game in the first 10 minutes. You’ve got to appreciate the game could go to extra-time - it’s that type of game.

‘It’s one of those games that is honestly just a toss of a coin for me. You can just turn up and it’s whatever team performs on the day.

‘I don’t believe our players will freeze on the day – that’s for sure.’