Mark Benterman said he could not have asked for a better response from his Halstead Town players than he saw in their Essex Senior Cup victory against Takeley.

The Town manager was delighted to see his team bounce back from two disappointing Thurlow Nunn League division one defeats as they booked their placed in the third round of the county cup and a potential date with one of Essex’s Football League sides.

Halstead headed into the tie against Takeley on the back of league losses to Stowmarket and Great Yarmouth, but the way they responded in a 2-0 win against Essex Senior League side left Benterman very pleased.

He said: “It was a positive response.

“We had a good chat after the (Yarmouth) game on Saturday when we asked the question why we hadn’t performed.

“Views were aired and people got things off their chests so we could go out on Tuesday and play with a freedom and I think two nil flattered Takeley in the end.

“It could have been five nil by half-time.

“It was a fantastic response and I could not have asked for any better.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of them and we’re now into the third round when we could find ourselves up against one of the big boys like Colchester or Southend.”

Halstead return to Thurlow Nunn League division one action with a home game against Woodbridge Town at Rosemary Lane tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).