On reaching a semi-final 

We’ve tried to reinforce the message that our season isn’t over. 

There is work for us to do in the league, and we wanted to progress to the semi-final. 

Once you reach that stage of any cup competition then the possibility of winning it becomes real. 

We’ve achieved that, and we’re happy with our performance. 

Not being affected by three weeks off 

That’s probably one of the most satisfying parts of our display because we felt we picked up from where we had left off. 

We scored three good goals, and created chances to score others. 

It was in our minds, after we’d played Barnoldswick last month, that we could cause them problems if we got onto the front-foot. 

We didn’t do that at their place, where we waited a bit, and this time we were at it from the start. 

Restricting free-scoring opponents 

They have quality in the final third, but other than the goal I don’t think our goalkeeper had a save to make in the first-half. 

We were disappointed with the manner in which we conceded on both occasions and certainly for their first goal I think we could have competed better for the ball in midfield. 

Defensively though I think we did ok. 

Their second was avoidable too; there was no reason to dive in on the touchline and give their lad a chance to skip inside and finish well. 

Being in the ascendancy 

We’d have been upset if we hadn’t gone in at half-time with the lead and if I'm honest I think our advantage reflected the difference between the teams. 

We got in around the back of them a few times and with a bit more quality might have been more productive from those positions. 

To be 3-1 up was deserved for the way we approached the game on a tricky surface. 

What does this mean for 1874’s season? 

We always wanted to progress, of course. 

However for us it’s perhaps a bit more important because of how our league campaign has gone. 

In some ways, we have started thinking about next term but we have to make sure we finish this one in the right way. 

If it takes a couple of semi-finals to focus minds, then that’s great. 

Performances over the next few weeks will reveal to us which players want to stay and do well here. 

On selection dilemmas to come 

It’s not something we’ve had often this season because of the issues with injuries and availability from the start. 

But if you think about it, we didn’t have Mark Jones tonight and two other guys – Jack Tinning and Martyn Andrews – have both trained this week but were cup-tied. 

Kazim Waite-Jackson wasn’t involved, and then there are the young players like Kyle Phipps who are in our thinking on merit because of what they’ve done. 

People have to earn a place if they want to play. 

An injury update 

Taylor got a bang on his knee and he felt uncomfortable when he next pushed off and so we made a change straightaway. 

Sam Hare’s calf was tightening up and we didn’t want to take any risks. 

Neither of them are serious, more a precaution.