The Coles Park club are eager to build on their run to the first round proper of the famous, old competition

Ham & High: Haringey Borough centre back Mark Kirby and Kwesi Appiah of AFC Wimbledon during the FA Cup first round tiel at Coles Park (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo).Haringey Borough centre back Mark Kirby and Kwesi Appiah of AFC Wimbledon during the FA Cup first round tiel at Coles Park (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo). (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Tom Loizou believes Haringey Borough can have plenty more occasions like Friday night when they hosted AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup and a record crowd of 2,710 was present at Coles Park.

It was a fantastic evening for the Bostik Premier club and even the 90th-minute winner for Dons from Mitchell Pinnock failed to spoil the party atmosphere in this part of north London.

League One side Wimbledon had clinched a 1-0 victory, but the real winners were Borough and the community who witnessed an occasion like no other.

“This was always the dream for us and I hope we can have many more nights like this,” Loizou said after the famous cup tie.

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t have more nights like this. I could still hear the supporters long after the game, so they were brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Our fans are unbelievable.”

After the excitement of the FA Cup being present plus the BBC cameras and a rafter of national journalists and broadcasters, it was back to normal on Monday.

Borough hosted second-placed Tonbridge Angels and although they didn’t have anywhere near the 2,710 attendance from days earlier, a healthy crowd of 260 watched the hosts’ triumph 4-0.

It was a terrific result for the north Londoners and showed there would be no hangover after the FA Cup exit – in fact quite the opposite.

The win was the first Loizou’s men had secured in the division since September 29 – a 1-0 victory away to Margate – and occurred thanks to a brace by Coby Rowe.

Rakim Richards and Georgios Aresti were also on target as the White Hart Lane club moved onto 15 points from 12 league fixtures.

Next up for Borough is a trip to Lewes on Saturday before they entertain leaders Dorking Wanderers on Monday (November 19).

Loizou added: “Now we are out of the big competitions, like the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, this is where our season starts.

“Before Tonbridge we had only played three home league games all season, so we will start focusing on the league.

“I think we have to try and look to get into the top half and then we’ll see. If we could make the play-offs, after this FA Cup run, then surely I will be done!”

Like Haringey Borough, there’s plenty of life left in Loizou yet!