Slough Town
2
Metcalfe (30), Russell (53)
Barking
4
Ironton (7), Key (44, 90), Burton (60)
League
Alan Gane
SLOUGH Town's new goalkeeper Richard Teale had a nightmare Isthmian League debut as his side slumped to defeat in the opening fixture of the season on Saturday.
Teale, who was at fault with three of the Barking goals, told manager Joe Arpino afterwards that he had played the worst game of his life. The home crowd were certainly unimpressed and many were wondering if Mr. Arpino's preference for Teale, which hastened the departure of Trevor Porter to Brentford, has been a major mistake.
Former QPR, Fulham and Wimbledon keeper Teale's nightmare started as early as the seventh minute when he fumbled a Peter Burton header and was helpless as Nick Ironton slammed the loose ball into the net.
Slough, whose other two debutants Richard Strong and Barry Metcalfe also found the going tough, equalised on the half hour when Metcalfe nodded in an Ian Cooke corner at the far post.
But they hardly deserved to be level with a Barking side which dominated the first half. The visitors’ tall centre forward Burton, who interested several league clubs including Tottenham last season, gave young centre half Strong a mauling he will not forget for a long time.
The former Wycombe defender was obviously unsettled and was at fault when Barking took the lead again just before half time. He failed to cut out a Gary Anderson through ball and Bryn Key ran on to beat the unhappy Teale.
Slough did start the second half in better style and they again equalised in the 53rd minute when Dave Russell scored with a shot on the turn after a fine move involving Alan Gane and Roger Mackay.
Barking's Gary Twiddle was booked for deliberate handball shortly afterwards as Slough threatened to take control of a match in which, until then, they had been outclassed.
But their hopes were dashed on the hour by another Teale error. This time the keeper 'lost' a Chris Ballard corner and a Burton header made the score 3-2.
In the dying seconds, Teale made another mistake. He threw himself despairingly at a Ballard cross, missed the ball and could only watch Key head into an empty net.
Teale, who was at fault with three of the Barking goals, told manager Joe Arpino afterwards that he had played the worst game of his life. The home crowd were certainly unimpressed and many were wondering if Mr. Arpino's preference for Teale, which hastened the departure of Trevor Porter to Brentford, has been a major mistake.
Former QPR, Fulham and Wimbledon keeper Teale's nightmare started as early as the seventh minute when he fumbled a Peter Burton header and was helpless as Nick Ironton slammed the loose ball into the net.
Slough, whose other two debutants Richard Strong and Barry Metcalfe also found the going tough, equalised on the half hour when Metcalfe nodded in an Ian Cooke corner at the far post.
But they hardly deserved to be level with a Barking side which dominated the first half. The visitors’ tall centre forward Burton, who interested several league clubs including Tottenham last season, gave young centre half Strong a mauling he will not forget for a long time.
The former Wycombe defender was obviously unsettled and was at fault when Barking took the lead again just before half time. He failed to cut out a Gary Anderson through ball and Bryn Key ran on to beat the unhappy Teale.
Slough did start the second half in better style and they again equalised in the 53rd minute when Dave Russell scored with a shot on the turn after a fine move involving Alan Gane and Roger Mackay.
Barking's Gary Twiddle was booked for deliberate handball shortly afterwards as Slough threatened to take control of a match in which, until then, they had been outclassed.
But their hopes were dashed on the hour by another Teale error. This time the keeper 'lost' a Chris Ballard corner and a Burton header made the score 3-2.
In the dying seconds, Teale made another mistake. He threw himself despairingly at a Ballard cross, missed the ball and could only watch Key head into an empty net.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Roger Mackay
- 3 Bob Underwood
- 4 Terry Reardon
- 5 Richard Strong
- 6 John Beyer
- 7 Barry Metcalfe
- 8 Alan Gane
- 9 Paul Lee
- 10 Ian Cooke
- 11 Dave Russell
Substitutes
- 12 Paul Holder