UNBEATEN Slimbridge go into the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday with manager Leon Sterling insisting they can win against anybody on their day.

The Swans face a tricky tie at fellow Evo-Stik Southern League South and West division outfit Taunton Town, who are just two places above Slimbridge in the table at present.

But while league safety is the primary objective for the campaign, the glory that an FA Cup run can bring to the club – as well as a good injection to the bank balance – is a great bonus to have.

Slimbridge have reached the second qualifying round after beating Combined Counties League opponents Bedfont Sports 3-0 in the preliminary round and then taking out Southern League Central outfit Fleet Town 1-0 in a replay, after drawing 1-1 away in the initial match last Saturday week.

Sterling has a full and fit squad to choose from for the trip to Taunton other than the significant absence of midfield catalyst Sean Lawson who is getting married and is away from action for a few weeks.

The manager says that the league is the number one target, and added: “The FA Cup is an added bonus because you want to win matches and there are financial rewards to it.

“We have a tough game at Taunton but they are from our own league and we have not lost yet this season.”

It is nine games without defeat – six in the league and three in the cup – and the team are high on confidence at the moment.

Sterling said: “The table is not an indicator of where we will finish in the end but we have learnt a lot over the last five months as a group and I don’t think we fear big sides like Taunton and people who have ambitions greater than us.

“With a bit of luck, we will get the result.”

The Fleet Town replay was a tough one and went into extra time last Wednesday evening before Rich Thwaite scored the only goal of the match to settle it and put Slimbridge through.

It was also an experience for the Swans to take a step into the unknown in the original first qualifying round tie when they travelled to Fleet, a side they had not faced before.

But, Sterling hopes that will serve his side well if they progress through against Taunton and land a tie in the third qualifying round with a side from a higher division.

And, with the carrot of a first round proper match against possibly league opposition just three victories away, Slimbridge have everything to play for and nothing to lose.

The manager added: “As a non-league player, you dream of having that (FA Cup) run into the first round and play a league team. I am sure the players are thinking about that but we, as a management team, are not thinking that far ahead.

“We are fully prepared for Taunton and we will go there to try and win the game and get an opportunity to go further in the competition.

“If we do beat Taunton, we will get someone from a higher league. Our average age in the team is 22 and we have not got a lot of miles in this league but the players learn quickly.

“Hopefully, they get things right on the day and as it (a cup run) does not happen that often. Leicester City are the beacon for having good team spirit. They are organised and work for each other. We have been doing that for years and hopefully it will continue,” said the manager.

The Swans will be running a coach to Taunton on Saturday. The coach will leave Thornhill Park at 11.30am. Places are limited, and priced at £5 adults and £2 Under 16s. To book a place, fans can call Colin Gay on 07702 070229.

The FA Cup game also means that the Swans’ trip to high-flying Mangotsfield United in the league will be rearranged, and a date for that fixture will be announced once agreed between the two clubs.