Improving Slough Town's league position takes precedence over world's best cup competition

Saturday's trip to Hayes & Yeading in the FA Cup presents Slough Town with a chance to continue their uptick in form, however, player manager Scott Davies admits improving the side's league position takes precedence over advancing in the cup.

Slough have a wonderful recent record in the competition, having reached the second round proper twice in the past decade, however, surviving - and more than that thriving - in the National League South remains their bread and butter this campaign.

The Rebels' campaign got off to a rather torrid start, with the side losing six of their opening seven matches and Davies accusing the side of downing tools after their embarrassing 5-2 home defeat to Tonbridge Angels a couple of weeks ago.

However, a few home truths were aired after that dreadful display and Davies has seen his side respond in the right way with battling and disciplined victories over Dartford and Aveley.

“It's a weird one,” said Davies.

“Everyone loves the FA Cup and I think it's one of the best tournaments in the world.

“Everyone (at this level) has the ambition to try and get to the second round. That's the aim for everyone but we need to get our league position higher first, that's our main aim.

“But we won't be taking the FA Cup lightly. We will put out a full-strength side and we want to make sure we get the club through at least a couple of rounds if we can.

“We know financially what benefits that has to Slough Town. So, we will treat it in the right manner and try and win the game next weekend.”

After a summer of change, both in the squad and coaching team - as well as off the field with the club's takeover by the A23 Football Group being officially rubber stamped - hopes were high for an improved season. Those hopes have been tempered by the club's faltering start to the campaign - with the team propping up the table after their 5-2 loss to Tonbridge. However, performances have generally been much better than results and the Rebels are also now starting to show the resilience to dig in for results.

乔治·亚历山大在周六前,解雇他们while Dom Hutchinson added a second early in the second half to douse any hopes of an Aveley comeback. Davies admitted the game wasn't the most entertaining spectacle, however, for the first time this season, supporters went home happy having seen their side win at Arbour Park. Reflecting on the result - Slough’s third league win of the season - Davies said: “It's a great result for us, especially after the run we've been on.

“I don't want to keep repeating myself, but I still believe we should have another six points on the board if we had taken our chances at the right times in different games.

“All we can do is worry about today, worry about our next match. We focus on the FA Cup match now today is done.

“Today wasn’t a spectacle. It was an unbelievably hot day so neither team was playing at 100 miles an hour. I think both teams tried to play as best as they could in the conditions. I found it tough in the last 20-25 minutes. It was a day that you had to dig in and get through.

“I thought we saw the game out well. It wasn’t liquid football; it wasn’t pleasant on the eye but it was effective and no one is going to moan with three points.”

Davies added: “The most important thing for us today was getting a minimum of a point. That was my aim before the game. To get three against a team that had won six games out of eight is incredible for us. Everyone keeps doubting us, and that’s fine. I have no issue with that at all.

“For us, it’s just about getting the monkey off our back and picking up points at home. I am glad that people are going to go home happy this afternoon.”

One of the stories of Slough's season so far is the form of players who have returned to the club after impressive loan spells last season. One of those, Temi Eweka has become a Rebel on a permanent basis, while Alexander is back on loan and back scoring again having netted six goals already this term.

“George knows what I think of him,” said Davies.

“I think so highly of him as a player and as a person. He’s got my upmost/utmost respect. What he has done for the club in the time he’s been here has been great. I think he has scored 12 goals in 14 games now at a club that’s been no higher than 18th. It shows that he’s got ability, it shows that he knows where the net is. Take those goals away, he works his absolute socks off for this club. You’d think he was one of our own the way that he treats Slough Town. He’s an absolute delight to have around the place. I love him to bits, he’s brilliant to play with, brilliant to manage.

“Temi has got massive potential. He’s one of those players that plays on the edge, he wants to win every ball, wants to fight and I think he is learning what he can and what he can’t win throughout the game. I thought every decision he made today was superb, when he stepped in and broke up the play, he won his headers, his distances, his clearances. I think all round, everyone done their job. It was a strange game because I am delighted with the whole team, but I don’t think there were many nines or 10s performances. It was very professional and regimented so yeah just delighted to get the win.”