NEIL BAKER believes that Slough Town have a great chance to progress further in the FA Cup this season when they meet Gainsborough Trinity this Saturday(3pm) .

It is the first time in five seasons that The Rebels have made the first round proper and they have only waited 13 years to make it through to the next round.

Gainsborough have reached the first round for the second time in three seasons but it is 65 years since the National League North club went any further.

The Trinity were struggling for form when the draw was made last month, but are now seven games unbeaten including wins against former league leaders Harrogate Town and high-flying Tamworth.

Baker watched them beat Curzon Ashton 1-0 at The Northolme last weekend and believes it will be a tough tie for Slough to win.

However, he sees no reason why The Rebels, who have are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions, cannot compete against their higher-league hosts.

The Slough joint-manager told the Observer: “Gainsborough are a good side and hit a good run of form to go seven unbeaten in October.

“They’re big and strong and very together which is evident in the way they play for the manager and each other, which was nice to watch actually.

“There’s no reason why we can’t go and compete but it will be tough. But, we’ve got a very good side as well that like to play and have the chance of an upset.

“Gainsborough have played a couple of systems recently but we think we know how they will want to set up against us, but it could be their other system that they also use to good effect.

“We’ve got enough information on those that are likely to play. Sometimes the opposition can spring a surprise but we will give it a real go.

“It’s a one off cup game and who knows. it’s a great chance to get through but they will be thinking exactly the same. One of us will be very happy come Saturday evening.

Baker continued: “When the draw was first made Gainsborough were struggling down at the bottom a little bit, but they have started on a run and looking at their results they’ve beaten some very good sides in a strong league.

“We’re under no illusions that it will be a tough game but we’ve got the belief to go and give it a go, compete and maybe pull of an upset in terms of the leagues.

“Gainsborough are going very well and have home advantage which makes them slight favourites, but we’ve both got a chance of going through.

“When you get this far and draw a fellow non-league side you’re potentially only 90 minutes away from the big boys.

“If you had offered us this at the start of the season we would have bitten your hand off and the players are really up for it.

“Both sides will want to win the game and it will have a real cup feel about it.

“I hope we might take 400-500 away fans which would be amazing. It would be fabulous to have that support behind us and amazing for the lads.”

Baker is hopeful that both Gavin James and Brad Wadkins will recover sufficiently from injury problems to make the squad, but experienced central defender Alan Inns will not be fit in time.

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