LEE Hooper insists Malvern Town want a good run in the FA Cup this season after reaching First Round Qualifying for the first time in 17 years.
The Hillsiders thrashed Hinckley AFC 5-2 to reach First Round Qualifying after Jack Watts scored four goals with Charlie Johnson also on target at Kirkby Road.
And Malvern’s joint manager Hooper admitted the FA Cup has not been a priority for the club in recent seasons but is enjoying the club’s run this term.
Hooper said: “We’re buzzing, 17 years is a long time, the FA Cup has not been a priority in the last four or five seasons because we wanted success in the league and promotions.
“This year we wanted a bit of a run in the FA Cup so we’re really chuffed.
“We knew it was going to be tough, we were clinical and good going forward, we dictated the game.
“We came out in the second half, soaked up the pressure and hit them on the break and scored some very good goals.”
Malvern took the lead on 21 minutes when Watts raced on to a long ball in behind the Hinckley defence and produced a composed finish.
And the visitors doubled their lead seven minutes later as Watts finished on the rebound after Sam Taylor could only parry Joe Tumelty’s initial effort.
However, Hinckley, who play one level below Malvern in the United Counties League Premier Division South, halved the deficit on the stroke of half time as Josh Beeson lashed home a loose ball inside the penalty area.
The visitors restored their two-goal lead on 62 minutes when Johnson powered home a header at a corner before Watts completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes to all but seal Malvern’s place in the next round.
Hinckley reduced the deficit on 84 minutes as Bryan Kohyrelon pulled a goal back only for Watts to complete the scoring three minutes later following a rapid counter attack.
Malvern are next in action against Mousehole on Saturday, August 24 with kick-off at 3pm at Trungle Parc.
