FA Cup heroics raising the bar for Mangotsfield United

Southern League:

Experienced manager Phil Bater believes that Mangotsfield United's exciting progress in the FA Cup is helping to restore the club's tarnished image.

Relegation from the Southern League Premier Division last season after finishing rock-bottom brought two campaigns of under-achievement to an end. But Bater, in his first full season in charge, is overseeing the rebuilding of the club.

Looking back on the midweek penalty shoot-out victory over Truro in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, Bater said: "We have been in the doldrums for a while but Tuesday was a great night for the club and very pleasing for me and the chairman (Mike Richardson).

"I don't think he could believe the crowd (529), which was one of the biggest at Cossham Street for many years. Additionally, there were a lot of local people there because Truro didn't bring that many, so that was also very encouraging."

Financially, the win took Mangotsfield's earnings from the FA Cup fund to £16,000 for reaching the fourth qualifying round and that doesn't take into account the extras on top. "We also get a third of gate income and that wasn't bad from the matches away to Gillingham (503) and Saturday's match at Truro (574), while the revenue from hospitality and the bars has also been good," added Bater.

"We are probably getting close to £20,000 raised from the cup run and that is lifeblood for a club like this."

Mangotsfield, whose league form needs improving, don't have a match tomorrow but travel to AFC Totton on Tuesday.

"We are all delighted but let's not get too carried away," warned Bater, whose side take on Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup next weekend. "We just have to keep building up the club's reputation again bit by bit."

The satisfaction at Cossham Street is mirrored at Winterfield Road where Paulton Rovers' superb victory over Blue Square South leaders Newport has earned them a home tie against Chippenham Town in the next round.

"It is not just the prize money but it is also the extra sponsors who are now coming forward that really helps us," said manager Andrew Jones.

"Don't forget we are a small village side and it was amazing how everyone pulled together for the Newport game and hopefully we can do it again against Chippenham."

Keeping an eye on the league, with a match away to Bedfont Green tomorrow, Jones has strengthened his side by signing former Southampton and Cheltenham Town trainee Phil Walters.

"Phil has just recovered from a cruciate ligament injury and is now studying at Bath University," said Jones. "He has come to me highly recommended and, while he is still getting back to full fitness, he will bring quality to the side."

Jones believes Paulton's FA Cup run has made it easier to attract better quality players to the club and is now looking to mount a charge up the table and consolidate Monday's win against high-flying VTFC.

● Both Clevedon Town and Yate Town are in FA Trophy action tomorrow.

Clevedon have the chance to avenge a recent defeat by in-form Brackley at the Hand Stadium but the loss of Sean Seavill to Gloucester City hasn't helped their chances.

"It is a big loss but there is no point moaning about it, we just have to move on," said manager Nick Tucker. Ben Evans and Josh Brigham return from suspension to boost Tucker's options.

Yate host Bedford Town and manager Dave Mogg will look at reserve team player Jacob Cox and Gary Simmons, who is a student at Plymouth University, as a replacement for Sam Duggan, who has been ruled out of action for six weeks with a fractured collar bone.

"Losing Sam is a real blow for us as he is a threat going forward and is a very talented lad," said Mogg.