Rebels boss Davies keen for 'flawless' Berks & Bucks Cup win to spark league turnaround

Photo credit: Zak Rana

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Scott Davies is hoping Wednesday evening’s ‘flawless’ Berks & Bucks Senior Cup display at Beaconsfield Town can inspire the Rebels to improved performances in the league and cups over the coming weeks.

The Rebels crushed the Rams 8-0 at Holloways Park to advance into the quarter finals of the county cup, where they’ll host Abingdon United or Newport Pagnell Town in the final eight.

However, Davies will be hopeful the performance can have a galvanising impact on their league form, with Slough having dropped to second bottom in the National League South in recent weeks.

While the club’s FA Cup run to the second round - and a televised home tie with National League North side Macclesfield at Arbour Park on Sunday, December 7, is a welcome distraction that’s greatly helped the club’s finances, Davies admits it’s also been like a ‘disease’ sapping the life from the team’s performances in the league.

Just as they did two seasons ago, when made it through to play Grimsby Town in the first round of the FA Cup, Slough’s league form has suffered. They went onto finish 10th that season but find themselves in an even worse predicament this time as they look to start climbing a very competitive league.

“The performance at Beaconsfield was flawless, I couldn’t fault it,” said Davies. “As much as people say it’s the Berks & Bucks Cup, the club have informed me this year, they’d like to win it. It’s something my bosses at the club want me to take seriously and I think it’s good for the squad.

“Players that haven’t had as many minutes get the chance to come in and stake their claim. The lads certainly did that last night.

“I think the FA Cup is a great distraction in many ways, but it’s also like a disease at the same time. It distracts you from the bread and butter of the league.

“When we played Grimsby two years ago, we were fourth from bottom and had played 14 games and were on 13 points. There are so many similarities between that season and this season.

“That season we finished 10th with was incredible but it will be a lot tougher this season because of the standard of the teams in the league now. For me, it’s not panic stations, but we have a massive few weeks ahead with the FA Trophy game and then three back-to-back league games at home as well.”

On Saturday, the Rebels suffered their fifth league defeat on the spin as they went down to a narrow - and somewhat undeserved 1-0 loss at Horsham. Slough arguably shaded a tight contest and went close with a couple of half chances that flashed past the post, but James Hammond scored with a late penalty and the visitors had little time to recover.

“It was one of those days where you’re kicking yourself thinking we should have walked away with a 0-0 draw,” said Davies. “It wasn’t to be, and one mistake has cost us. It’s frustrating not to get anything but in terms of performance, I thought we looked a lot more like our old selves.

“Having a few players back helped. I’m looking forward to the weekend and the games that we’ve got at home where hopefully we can pick up some much-needed points.

“We’re in there with a fighting chance and have a couple of games in hand. To be brutally honest I don’t feel like our league campaign has got up and running yet.”

Slough host Gloucester City in the FA Trophy on Saturday before three crucial home league games against Farnborough (November 18), Worthing (November 22) and AFC Totton (November 25).