Mixed feelings for Bircham as Hemel Hempstead advance in the FA Cup

Lee Bircham was left with mixed feelings after Hemel Hempstead Town were handed a place in the Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

The Tudors had been due to travel to Vanarama National League North side Boston United in the third qualifying round last night (Tuesday) but the Pilgrims withdrew from the competition on Monday following an outbreak of Covid-19 in their squad.

The draw for the fourth qualifying round was made at lunchtime today and Hemel will now host National League South rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough a week on Saturday (October 24) as the two clubs battle it out for a place in the first round proper.

And while boss Bircham knows it is a good thing for the club to have advanced to the next stage of the competition, he was disappointed to not have an immediate chance to right the wrongs from Saturday’s 4-1 home league defeat to Eastbourne Borough.

Hemel conceded three early goals in what was their second defeat in as many matches in the league and Bircham is now turning his attention to Saturday’s trip to Maidstone United as he looks to his players to hit back.

“From the club’s perspective it’s a brilliant thing because we are through to the next round of the FA Cup with everything that brings,” the Tudors boss said.

“But from a footballing point of view, especially after Saturday, we would have quite liked the game even though it was a very tough draw and a long trip on a Tuesday night.

“You are still a competitor and you always want a game to put things right.

“But we have to focus on Saturday now. We have the chance to do a bit of training and go through the horror show on the videos and put it to bed.

“The boys were excellent in pre-season and it was totally uncharacteristic at the weekend.

“It was a bit of a freak. There’s not many times you will play a game and the first three crosses that come into your box result in goals.

“That leaves you an absolute mountain to climb but there were no signs of something like that happening.

“Things turn around quickly in football and we will now have to work hard on Saturday but I am really looking forward to it.”

Last weekend’s game was Hemel’s first at a new-look Vauxhall Road with a 4G surface having been installed.

And Bircham insists with so many changes in personnel, coupled with a new pitch to play on, things will take time to “click”.

“It was strange at the weekend because we are still playing in front of no supporters,” he added.

“It doesn’t feel right and I am sure it’s the same for everyone and it probably explains why there are some strange away results across football.

“And, from the pitch side of things, we had only trained on it for an hour. We have a completely new squad and they have got to get used to the pitch. It’s not an excuse for what happened at the weekend but these things do take time.

“Me and Steve (assistant-manager Bateman) have been in this position before at Berkhamsted with a new squad and it takes a little bit of time. We have some good lads here and it will click for us.”