Andy Clark saw his Halstead Town side draw Thurrock in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, then said: "It doesn't get much tougher than that."

The club formerly known as Purfleet will visit Rosemary Lane on Saturday, October 2, when £3,750 prize money will be at stake.

"It's a very hard draw," said Halstead chief Clark, whose men have already overcome Thurrock's neighbours, East Thurrock, in this year's competition.

"They are three levels above us so it's about as tough a game as we could have asked for."

Heybridge Swifts have the chance to gain revenge on St Albans City when they clash at Scraley Road.

Swifts, who beat Barking and East Ham United on Saturday, host the side who knocked them out of the Ryman League play-offs last season.

Swifts boss Keith Martin said: "It's a tough draw, but it's definitely a winnable game."

Braintree Town chief George Borg had mixed views on the Iron's away tie at Tonbridge Angels.

The two sides shared a goalless draw at Cressing Road in the Ryman League premier division last month and Borg said: "You always look for a home draw, but this is a game we are more than capable of winning."

Steve Pitt declared Wivenhoe Town's away draw at Arlesey as 'a stinker'.

Dragons chief Pitt will take his side to the fellow Southern League division east one team, but said: "It isn't the most attractive of draws, but we can get through to the next round."

Published Tuesday, September 21, 2004

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