Jim Nicholls’ FA Cup debut ‘couldn’t have gone any better’.

The London Colney manager saw his side thrash Woodbridge Town 6-0 to set up a preliminary round tie with Maldon and Tiptree on Saturday, August 30.

Nicholls, who was overseeing just his fourth competitive game in charge, never played in the competition as a player, making Saturday’s experience all the more special for him.

“It was fantastic,” he told the Herts Ad.

“I’d never been involved in the cup so it was a special day, and to get six goals and a clean sheet…it couldn’t have gone any better.”

The key to Colney’s win was an electrifying start in which they were 4-0 up inside 30 minutes. And they will need a similar performance against higher level opposition in the next round.

“We started really brightly. We were fast, shut them down and we created so many chances. We took four of them and it was all over from there,” he explained.

“The next round is a tough tie. This was a good experience for us and if we perform like we did then we have got a good chance.”

The Blueboys’ ruthlessness was a long way from their first two league games, in which they have picked up one point. Taking Saturday’s performance in to the league is the challenge facing Nicholls.

“We don’t want to be a ‘cup team’. It’s important that we keep the momentum going. Saturday is gone; we have to focus on winning three points against AFC Dunstable, ” he said.

“If we play like we did for the first 30-40 minutes then we will win a lot of games in the league.

“But, we have got to put the hard work in. I think the penny dropped after the 3-0 loss to Kings Langley. A good performance will win games but hard work comes first.”

Colney’s game against AFC Dunstable was played after the paper when to press. Their next game is at home to Holmer Green on Saturday, 3pm kick-off. Next Tuesday they welcome Berkhamsted to Cotlandswick, 7.45pm kick-off.