Marine boss Young: ‘Havant are favourites, but we won’t be lacking in effort’

But the boss of the eighth tier Merseyside outfit believes they are more than capable of claiming a fourth higher division scalp in the competition this season in front of the BT Sport cameras.

The Hawks head to Liverpool for the first time since that unforgettable day at Anfield back in 2008 sitting 43 places above Marine in the pyramid.

But the Northern Premier League North West minnows have beaten Chester - who play at the same level as Hawks, in National League North - and League Two Colchester already this term to reach this stage.

Speaking ahead of last weekend's National League South trip to Welling, consequently postponed because of a positive Covid-19 test in the opposition camp, Hawks manager Paul Doswell claimed his side were not the favourites.

But Young has a different opinion.

'I see them as favourites, obviously,’ he declared.

'Paul (Doswel) is a very experienced manager and he did marvellous things in the National League with Sutton.

‘It’s one of those games for me. We’ll be as best prepared as we can, we won’t be lacking in effort, and it’s if we’re good enough on the day.

‘We know how good a side Havant are and we’re not the favourites but, likewise, we’re going in there thinking we can win.'

The meeting at Rossett Park will be the first time the hosts have been in competitive action since dumping out Colchester on November 7.

Marine, who play in the eighth tier, are classed as 'non-elite' and are only permitted to play FA Cup fixtures during the current nationwide lockdown with their league season currently suspended.

In contrast, the Hawks have played two league matches since defeating Cray Valley Paper Mills in the first round.

And Young is unaware what impact going three weeks without a competitive match could have on Marine.

‘It’s a tough one, really,' he added.

‘When you haven’t played for a while, normally it takes a little time to get into a game whether that be individually or as a group.

‘But you look at Havant, they’ve been playing but they’ve had their past two games called off through Covid issues with the opposition.

‘It is what it is. You’ve just got to try to be as best prepared as you can.

‘We’re part-time so we know we’re already at a disadvantage.

‘We’re in the eighth tier and step 4 in the non-league, so we’ve done remarkably well to get here.'