HAT-TRICK hero Rob Laney insists Hillingdon Borough are a club on the way up following Saturday’s FA Vase demolition of Bedford Town.
Borough put six past Town without reply to bag £600 in prize money and reach the second qualifying round of the Vase.
Hillingdon were four goals up at half time after the early dismissal of Bedford’s player-manager Luigi Rocco opened the floodgates for the home side.
Laney bagged himself a hat-trick, which was added to by a 40-yard strike from Boro player-manager Sam Hurrell before the interval. Hillingdon added two more goals in the second half to leave confidence sky-high at the Middlesex Stadium.
Speaking after the 6-0 rout, Laney said: “We’re playing with a lot more confidence. We know the talent we’ve got and it’s just a matter of believing in ourselves to get where we know we want to be.”
Laney has become a permanent fixture in the Hillingdon attack this season and is enjoying a more settled role after being shifted about last term.
“I love it,” the forward said of his position. “I’m really enjoying playing up front with Robert Gradwell and I know that the rest of the team are working hard to make chances. I’ve set myself a target of at least 25 goals this season and I’m already on eight.”
Boro have had a difficult start to the season with four defeats out of six, but recent performances as well as good results have given the team encouragement.
“At the start of the season, we had a lot of new players come in and it has taken time for us to gel,” Laney added. “We’re starting to get more balance and you can see that in the performances.
“The management has been great in terms of giving me confidence. They’ve given everyone a boost and you’re seeing that self-belief spreading throughout the team. It’s now up to us to repay by going out on the field and getting results.”
Boro, who were last night (Tuesday) due to travel to Berkhamstead, will host Newport Pagnell Town in the next stage of the Vase on Saturday, September 21.
Meanwhile, Harefield United’s march to Wembley was halted as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Wellingborough at the weekend in their Vase clash. Phil Granville’s boys were hoping to bounce back last night against Cockfosters.
