Slough Town boss Steve Bateman seeking cup glory
By Rob Stevens • Published 21 Sep 2012 08:00
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Stuart Swift celebrates his late goal against Hungerford Town in the FA Trophy on Sunday. Picture courtesy of Horsham Rebel.
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SLOUGH Town boss Steve Bateman hailed the 'gutsy' FA Trophy preliminary round win against Hungerford Town on Sunday.
And the Rebels supremo has targeted further cup joy - starting with this Sunday's FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Eastbourne Town - to restore confidence in their bid for the Southern Division One Central title.
Slough have revelled in cup action this month - earning over £7,000 in prize money - but had to do it the hard way at Holloways Park after striker Sean Sonner was sent off for a late challenge on Bradley Gray.
Bateman told the Observer: "I am very pleased, it was an excellent performance.
"We got off to a good start by scoring early, capitalising on indecision in their back four, but then suffered a setback when losing Sean to a straight red.
"I have seen them given and not given - it is just frustrating, you want the letter of the law applied consistently.
"But I cannot really argue, you can't tackle the way he tried to these days."
The Rebels boss continued: "Over the course of the game we created 25-30 per cent more chances than Hungerford and their goalkeeper pulled off some fantastic saves.
"We worked hard and increased the lead thanks to a great Stuart Swift strike so all credit to us.
"We saw the job through and I thought we were full value for the win."
Bateman insists the win confirms Slough's ability to be a major force this term and declared further cup progress can only be good for the Holloways Park-based club.
He added: "Sometimes - because of the manner of the result - it is good for the soul, it gives everyone a lift.
"Our focus is on cup football at the moment - I would love to stay in both competitions as long as we can.
"We have disposed of two lower league teams, which you would expect, and beaten a Hungerford side that I expect to be in the top five with the squad they have got.
"We want to use both competitions as a springboard to better things and transfer it to what we do in the league."
Looking ahead to Sunday's visit of Isthmian League Division One South & West outfit Eastbourne, Bateman commented: "It is a one-off FA Cup game with decent prize money on offer (£4,500).
"We could have drawn out a higher level team but equally this will be no easy game. We have had a look at them, I know what they are about, and will put out a side that can beat them."
Captain Dave Woozley and midfielder Adam Logie are expected to return after missing the clash with Crusaders but ex-Windsor FC star Kyle Anthony will not feature after signing for Southern Premier Division club Hemel Hempstead Town.
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