Davies relishes Town Cup test
SLOUGH BOSS IS READY
GRIMSBY Town learnt this week that their FA Cup first-round opponents would be National League South outfit Slough Town after they were victorious in their replay against Ebbsfleet United. The first game between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw at Ebbsfleet’s home ground with the teams going into the replay knowing who they had drawn for the first round proper if they were to get through. A potential tie with last season’s quarterfinalists was clearly a big motivator for Slough, who ran out 2-0 victors in the replay in front of their home fans with Josh Jackman and Matthew Lench grabbing the goals.
Paul Hurst and some of his Mariners team know what it is all about to overcome higher-league opposition in the FA Cup, having down it a record five times last term, and now Slough have got through Ebbsfleet of the league above, they will head into the next tie on November 4 with no fear. Slough manager Scott Davies said: “It was a special, special night. Maybe when the draw was made people didn’t think it was too exciting but I believed in us – we went with a shape that was going to either be brave or stupid.
“The best way to do it is like that, in front of your fans – especially when the players will run through brick walls.
“You don’t get to play Football League sides that often. When we’ve got no fear in us, we’re a good side. It showed that we wanted it more than them. A League Two side will be expecting to win, but we’ll give it a right go.
“It means the world to help get the club to the first round. I know what it can do to a club like ours.
“For the fans too, they’ve not seen their club get through too many rounds over the past few years. When the goals went in, it was like the Slough of old on a Tuesday night. When you work as hard as we did, it’s difficult to play against.”
Grimsby will have to travel down south to Arbour Park for the game in early November, with important league games against Stockport County, Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers to come before that date.
Town supporters will be hoping that the team are in better shape form-wise heading into the Slough game, knowing an upset is always on the cards in the FA Cup having experienced a few last season on the way to the quarter-finals.