Life is tough for AFC Telford United and assistant manager Larry Chambers admits a run in the FA Trophy could do wonders for the struggling club.
The Bucks were relegated last season, dropping into National League North – where they now lie rock bottom, with just 13 points from 20 games.
It has been a testing time for manager Rob Smith and his trusted aide Chambers, who only arrived in August, having previously been in charge of the club between 2006 and 2010.
AFC Telford Utd v Chester FC
FA Trophy first round
New Bucks Head Stadium
3pm Saturday 12 December 2015
Winning sides receive £5,000 from The FA prize fund
The duo spent the intervening five years at Hednesford Town, while Telford burned through six different managers, and by Chambers’ own admission they returned to a very different club indeed.
However, the Trophy has offered a glimmer of light after they knocked FC United of Manchester out to set up Saturday’s clash with National League Chester in the first round proper.
“It is a completely different club,” said Chambers. “This time things aren’t going so well but that’s what football is all about.
“We just need to get things back on track. We were under no illusions that is was going to be easy but we are up for the challenge.
“Our league form isn’t great and we are hoping the Trophy will be a good distraction. We just haven’t been good enough.
“For us it is all about putting in a good performance and results will follow. We are not looking further forward than that, really.
“You have seen in the FA Cup in recent weeks, a cup run is great – it gives players confidence and it gives players momentum.”
Chester, meanwhile, sit just inside the bottom half of the National League table, without a win in their last five outings.
Last time out they were beaten by league leaders Cheltenham and striker Ross Hannah admits it is time to stop the rot and use the Trophy to show their quality.
“Telford is a great game this weekend because it will take some of our focus off the league,” said Hannah.
“I know that people are getting frustrated because we always seem to be saying the same things, but it’s now all about what needs to be done.
“Saturday will be a hard game, but Telford aren’t doing so well in the league and their stadium is a good ground for a cup game and hopefully we can get a result which could kick-start our season and set off on a good run.”
