FA Cup glory 'long overdue'

Rob Smith" class="imageframe imgalignright" height="130" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/robsmith5.jpg" title="Rob Smith" width="175"/>Boss Rob Smith will send AFC Telford United out on a mission to grab the national limelight as they launch their FA Cup campaign on Saturday.BGB Southern League high-fliers Corby Town will be the visitors to the New Bucks Head for the second qualifying round clash - and Smith is desperate for a little bit of cup magic to rub off on his side.

Near neighbours Chasetown have been the non-League standard bearers in recent years with two runs to the first round proper and beyond.

Now Smith wants to end Telford's wretched recent record in the FA Cup and enjoy their own slice of glory.

"A club like Telford should be doing well in the competition," he said. "I'm sick and tired of looking at Chasetown doing well and we want our turn.

"If you get knocked out early then when you turn on your television in the later rounds there's always going to be somebody else making a run and getting the publicity - we want a slice of that.

"We've had a really poor run in the last few years and it's something we're aware of and we're desperate to do well."

The Bucks remain unbeaten on their own patch this season and their manager is eager for that to continue.

"We're making it a bit of a fortress, but were not finishing teams off and that's what we're looking to improve on," he added. "We've got to turn our pressure and chances into goals."

Defender Gavin Cowan is the only new injury doubt, having suffered a toe injury in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Gateshead. It is not thought to be broken though, and Smith is confident he will have sufficiently recovered to be available this weekend.

Wing-back Simon Forsdick has been booked in for a scan tomorrow as he looks to get to the bottom of his latest knee injury.

By Chris Hudson