Slough Town are among 40 teams looking to progress into the FA Cup third round this weekend – with the Berkshire side set to go head-to-head against Macclesfield FC on Sunday.
Slough Town boss Scott Davies is dreaming of a money-spinning FA Cup third round tie if they manage to beat Macclesfield FC on Sunday.
The Rebels, who play in National League South – which is the sixth-tier – are the lowest ranked team left in the competition. They have beaten Welling United, Bedfont Sports, Enfield Town and Altrincham to reach this stage.
Meanwhile, opponents Macclesfield compete at the exact same level, but in National League North. The Silkmen, managed by Wayne Rooney‘s brother John, feasibly sit eight places higher than Slough in the non-league pyramid.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Slough manager Davies, 37, is relishing the chance to go up against a team from the same level for a shot at a possible Premier League date in the next round.
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Davies told Mirror Football: “It’s a massive opportunity for myself, the management team, players, supporters and the staff and volunteers who have put so much time and effort into the club over so many years.
“I think the beautiful thing about our football club is that there’s so many people there that have been supporting us for 40, 50, 60 years, an older generation that all they’ve been speaking about for the past month is the possibility of getting to the third round. We know that we’re the people that can deliver on it, but we know it’s obviously going to be an extremely tough game on the day against what’s still a very big club in Macclesfield.”
While Slough’s firm focus is on Macclesfield and their task in hand, Davies has allowed himself and his players the opportunity to dream and have one eye on who they could face in the third round.
“People would say that the right answer is to worry about it once the result is over, and if you do qualify and you get through,” Davies admitted. “But I’ve said to the lads, listen, it’s difficult not to dare to dream.
“It’s really difficult to not think what if, if only, what might happen. I don’t mind that, because I think you might get an extra 5-10 per cent out of the lads. You might run a little bit harder, a little bit faster.
“We are so close, but yet so far, and it’s the weirdest feeling. I think for me, I’ve managed to get there before as a player on a number of occasions which has been great, but we’ve never really had that glamour tie.
“So to do it from a management perspective would be incredible – in my third year in management. To deliver for everyone else really, that’s the main thing. From a selfish point of view it would be great, but it would just make so many people happy. So that would be a nice thing to be able to give back to them.”
Slough have endured a mixed campaign, so far. In the FA Cup, The Rebels have been in flying form and producing outstanding performances.
However, their league form has flattered to deceive. Indeed, Slough sit inside the relegation zone, in the National League South, with Davies’ side 22nd having picked up just 18 points from 19 matches.
“It’s been indifferent, but I think there’s reasons behind it. I’m not trying to get away from the fact we are where we are in the league. But we’ve had a lot of injuries that are now returning to the team and I think we’ve been stronger for it.
“Recent results would probably show that, as well. We’ve bolstered the squad with a few new players, as well. We’ve signed a few players that I think have improved us and stand us in good stead, obviously, going into the Macclesfield game.
“We’ve got a really young group, energetic, got some really good talented players with a mixed experience. I think adding all that together, when we do get it right we put in a really good performance and we’re quite a dangerous team to play against.”
Slough and Macclesfield will go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon at 12.30pm in front of the TNT Sports cameras. The draw for the third round is set to take place before the FA Cup tie between Brackley Town and Burton Albion, on Monday at 6.40pm – and Davies is desperate his side can be part of it.
