“I guess we couldn’t realistically expect another home draw” said manager Neil Cugley after Folkestone Invicta were draw away to Evo-Stik South Premier side Slough Town in the fourth and final qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, October 14.
And, having a quick look at that league table, Cugs said (something like) “Well, bless my soul – they’ve scored 29 goals in nine league games so we’ll have our hands full!”
A closer inspection of the Buckinghamshire outfit’s results shows that did get eight of those 29 in one game when they smashed rock bottom of the table Dunstable 8-1 in a midweek match early last month.
Known as the Rebels (like a couple of other clubs, including our old rivals Worthing), Slough currently sit third in their league with seven wins and two defeats and 21 points those aforementioned nine matches, behind leaders Kettering Town and second placed King’s Lynn.
To reach this stage of the cup they’ve won 3-1 at Berkhamsted in the first qualifying round, followed by home victories over Dulwich Hamlet (3-2) – a result not to be sniffed at – and on Saturday beating Conference South strugglers Poole Town 2-1 at Arbour Park.
Slough Town are managed by the former Godalming Town duo of Neil Baker and Jon Underwood who took over four years ago.
Between now and this FA Cup tie, Folkestone have three tough-looking away league games – at Merstham tomorrow (Tuesday), then Met Police this coming weekend before the long haul to Suffolk next Tuesday (October 10th) when they visit Lowestoft Town.
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round draw:
Dover Athletic v Bromley
Slough Townv Folkestone Invicta
Maidstone United v Enfield
Margate v Leatherhead
East Thurrock United or Harlow v Ebbsfleet United
Burgess Hill Town v Dartford