JAMES Dobson insists that Slough Town have put the FA Cup to the back of their minds in order to focus on winning promotion this season.

The Rebels welcome League One Rochdale to Arbour Park in the FA Cup second round on Monday, December 4 (7.45pm). The tie will be broadcast live by Bt Sports, as well as the draw for the third round before kick-off.

However, Dobson explained that promotion from the Southern Premier Division is their main objective this season and Slough returned to league action with a 3-0 win at home against Weymouth on Saturday.

Dobson scored in the victory over Weymouth and in the 2-2 draw away at Banbury United on Tuesday, taking his tally for the season to 14 in all competitions.

The winger told the Observer: “The last three or four weeks have been carnage really with the FA Cup and Trophy as well. You can’t really keep your eyes off it but the main objective for this cub is to get promoted.

“We were close last year but we want to go that one step better, so we were happy to get three points on Saturday and just keep on adding it to the table.

“I would probably say the top-six is very competitive and we’re a few games behind, but I think we can catch up and do well.

“No-one is running away with it and everyone is beating everybody, but from our point of view we just need to keep on plugging on and try to win as many games as we can.”

Dobson continued: “Anybody would be stupid not to keep an eye on the FA Cup, but it’s all in the back of the players’ minds. It’s going to be a great occasion here with a League One side coming down.

“But, everyone is taking it just one game at a time and focusing on the league most importantly.

"Getting the win on Saturday was most important and when it comes to the Rochdale game everyone will enjoy the occasion."

Looking back on the win against Weymouth, Dobson said: "It was good. We've not had a league game in a couple of weeks so it was good to get three points on.

"At the beginning of the game we thought it was going to be a really tough one because Weymouth have had a good run being second, but we're capable with our squad.

"We started really well, competed and set our own tempo to the game.

"Getting a couple of goals at the right time was good and I was just happy to get the three points.

"The message at half-time was to keep to our tempo and not relax. Sometimes going in at 2-0 can be quite dangerous. If the opposition get a goal it gives them an incentive to get back into the game.

"We maintained it well and were quite comfortable in the second half, and Josh Jackman coming on to get the last goal was good. It just killed the game off really so we're happy all round.

"I'm very happy with my goal. As long as I can keep on scoring as well, set people up and have an effect on the team, I'm happy with that."

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