|
And Brown's men proved they could scale any mountain after rising to the challenge in death-defying style.
Activities included climbing a 30ft pole as well as taking on a 200m death slide from a 50ft high platform.
The squad then enjoyed an afternoon of archery and quad biking before getting their brains in gear forthe visit of the League One side.
“We're all fully bonded now, it was a great day although I don't think I'll be doing any more, I'll leave it up to the players from now on. When you're standing 50 feet up you do wonder how you got yourself into it,” said Brown.
The boss is hoping that the session will lead to the side reaching the dizzy heights of the third round for the first time in the the club's' history.
“I'm very familiar with the second round but unfortunately not too familiar with the third.
You don't have to tell the boys about it, we all know and the fans know there's a chance of getting a Premiership side in the next round.”
“That's what makes the game exciting, you don't have to work at telling the boys how important this game is, that came before Bromley and Burnham, they know what's at stake now,” added Brown.
The boss is confident of getting a result despite losing top scorer Tim Sills through suspension, after the club's appeal against his red card in the Forest Green Rovers game on Saturday failed in an FA hearing earlier this week.
The striker now misses three games, starting with the visit of Scunny this weekend, then their Conference match against Southport and the FA Trophy match at home to Grays Athletic — if the Shots don't have an FA Cup replay.
“Tim is a big loss, there's no disputing that but we go into the game confident. The hearing was early in the week, which meant we have been able to adapt our training and I believe we've got enough firepower and enough quality to get it right,” said Brown.
As well as Sills being out with his suspension, fellow strike partner Ashley Vincent, on loan from Cheltenham Town, is also out cup-tied.
This leaves the boss with the option of playing John Turner up front alongside Matt Gearing, or pushing up one of the midfielders as he has opted to do in recent weeks.
Turner is likely to be out to impress having trialled recently with Scunthorpe's reserves before joining the Shots on loan from Cambridge United.
“I had been looking forward to seeing John and Sillsy playing together but it doesn't look like that will happen with Tim's suspension.
“John recently trialled with Scunny so he's also been giving us some tips about them, and said they have a very good set up, we know they're a good side so we're not taking anything for granted,” added Brown.
The Shots take on Scunthorpe on a losing run of three League games, having suffered defeats at home to Brentford (3-1) and Tranmere (2-1) and away at Blackpool (5-2). They did however beat League Two side Bury 1-0 after extra time in their FA Cup replay last Tuesday.
Boss Brian Laws is also suffering with the loss of several key players through injury or suspension.
Key defender Nathan Stanton is out for this weekend after he picked up a knee injury, which now requires surgery, in their defeat against Brentford.
Midfielders Richard Hinds and Jim Goodwin are both out suspended, the latter would have served his suspension on Tuesday had their match against Halifax Town in the LDV Vans Trophy gone ahead. The game was postponed due to a frozen Shay pitch.
“It would have been helpful them having that game but it means they've got a bit more time to prepare,” Brown continued.
“Having said that they haven't been given the chance to bounce back from Saturday so it could work for us as well.
“We are catching them as they're not doing so well, they haven't had a league win for a while so it's a good time for us. They've got a few injuries as well which is good new for us. I know we're missing a couple but I'm looking forward to going into this game.”
The boss was also waiting to see the outcome of Wednesday night's reserve match, and was hoping that Steve Watson would come through unscathed with a view to being on the bench Saturday.
Long-term injury victim Roscoe D'Sane, was also expected to play 45 minutes after starting on Wednesday night, and Brown revelaed the striker has been pencilled in for the bench of the Southport game.
Brown said: “If we can get Watson even on the bench for Saturday that will be a massive boost.
“Roscoe's doing really well, he hasn't had a reaction so far and if that continues he needs to get more minutes under his belt before possibly coming in for the Southport game.”
Also set to return to selection is John Brough, who was missing on Saturday with a calf strain.
As Brown continues to welcome players back into the fray it's clear that things are finally on the up for the Shots.
Whilst Scunny may be on a losing league run, the Shots have won three consecutive League matches — five if you include the FA Cup first round and the Hampshire Cup.
Scunny welcome their own veteran winger in Peter Beagrie back from his hamstring injury, while on-loan midfielder Peter Till (ankle) also returns.
Undoubtedly their main threat is up front, hitman Billy Sharp, who was bought from Sheffield United in the summer for £150,000 has proved worth the spending with 15 goals in 16 starts already this season. His strike partner Andy Keogh also has seven to his name.
Brown added: “You can't argue with a goal scoring record like Sharp's, but we'll be working on ways to stop him scoring.
“They've also got Beagrie back who is an absolutely quality player but Brian Tinnion, Darren Barnard and Martin Kuhl have all played against him before so we know what he's about.
“There's a lot of reasons to be positive going into this game, we've got nothing to lose whatsoever.
“We're on own home ground, we're in form and although performances haven't been great, all the boys will be so keyed up for it, it's about taking the game to them. It's an FA Cup cliché but this a one-off special game.”
With thanks to the Aldershot News.