JON UNDERWOOD is delighted that Slough Town have managed to avoid a potential banana skin in the FA Cup after a 3-1 win at Berkhamsted on Saturday.

The Rebels were drawn away in the first qualifying round of the competition this season with the tie made harder by the fact Berkhamsted are managed by ex-Rebels boss Steve Bateman.

Slough were not at their best inside the Broadwater Stadium but still able to beat their lower-league hosts thanks to goals from Manny Williams, Lee Togwell and Matt Lench, all before Stacey Field pulled one back for the home side.

Rebels joint-manager Underwood told the Observer: “I’m delighted as it’s always a banana skin when you go to a side from a lower level, and this match had the added spice of Steve being in charge with the chance to come up against his former club.

“But, all that matters is going through and not being one of those higher-league sides that is out.

“We were professional but didn’t start well. Berkhamsted had pace up front and caused us a few problems early on, but we reacted to that well and went into half-time two goals up.

“We got another in the second half and thought the game was won, allowing them to score and give them a little bit of hope. We were professional but not at our best.

“We were certainly not at our best but all that matters is getting through. No-one will remember the performance when you go through in the FA Cup, so it’s job done.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough Town forward Manny Williams nods in the opening goal in the FA Cup.

The reward is a home draw in the second qualifying round against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, September 16 (3pm) and Underwood explained that it is a challenge to reach the first round proper.

He said: “We’re looking to progress and have a good cup run. We want to get past a few rounds because you get good prize money for the club and Chairman.

“You want the glamour of getting to the first round proper. That’s not an expectation but the aim for all clubs at our level. You might draw a club from the Football League and have the chance to play on live TV.

“Its a challenge but not an expectation and we’ve not experienced that yet as managers.

“The focus is very much on the league but we would love to have a good cup run as managers.”

Slough return to action in the Southern Premier Division this week with Dunstable Town set to visit Arbour Park this Saturday (3pm), followed by Hitchin Town next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Underwood said “We’re very much targeting six points. We have to in order not to conceded ground at the top as there are some sides that have won every game.

“Dunstable have struggled a little bit, they’ve only got one point so far, and they’re a young team, so it’s one that everyone will be expecting us to win.”

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