Slough Town
2
Cooke (57), Wharton (80)
Hendon
1
Sewell (90)
League
Mick Wharton
THE Rebels took a long time to warm up in their Premier Division clash with Hendon on Saturday but they really turned the heat on in an exciting second half and claimed a 2-1 victory, their second home win of the season.
After recent defeats and a bad run of injuries, it was a match that must have lifted team spirits and given them a boost for their 4th Round, F.A. Cup qualifying match against Tooting and Mitcham.
A happy Joe Arpino explained that past problems have had nothing to do with lack of ability but injuries. Eric Young, he said, had been out for seven weeks and Paul Lee - "probably one of the best strikers in the league" - has only played about five games, all season.
Lee and quick-witted goalkeeper, Richard Teale, made a welcome return to the side and new signing, Mick Wharton, looked in fine, aggressive form. But the tension and frustration began to show on Slough's faces as the first half ticked away with few good breaks by either team.
As Hendon's Sewell seized on two opportunities for an attacking run, it looked as if Slough had burnt up their energies in simply trying to get a commanding hold on the ball. Little evidence of decisive teamwork raised fears of a goalless draw, even defeat, and another gloomy session in the changing room.
But the game perked up miraculously after half an hour as Slough spotted the gaps in Hendon's already weak defence. A good run by Dave Russell, with Hendon caught very much on the hop, turned the tables at last. The attack was on and a couple of good runs from nifty Alan Gane promised a more gutsy and watchable second half.
The opportunity for a long awaited lead came 12 minutes into the second half. A half cleared header from a Hendon defender fell at Cooke's feet and he sent a beautiful, curling volley into the back of the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box.
The next spectacular goal came 10 minutes from the end. The Hendon keeper met an inswinging corner from Friend but he punched it away only as far as Wharton who sent in a volley from a difficult angle.
A few minutes into injury time Hendon's Sewell netted an easy consolation goal.
Things are definitely looking up for the Rebels now and tomorrow's crowd can look forward to a confident, and hopefully successful, game.
After recent defeats and a bad run of injuries, it was a match that must have lifted team spirits and given them a boost for their 4th Round, F.A. Cup qualifying match against Tooting and Mitcham.
A happy Joe Arpino explained that past problems have had nothing to do with lack of ability but injuries. Eric Young, he said, had been out for seven weeks and Paul Lee - "probably one of the best strikers in the league" - has only played about five games, all season.
Lee and quick-witted goalkeeper, Richard Teale, made a welcome return to the side and new signing, Mick Wharton, looked in fine, aggressive form. But the tension and frustration began to show on Slough's faces as the first half ticked away with few good breaks by either team.
As Hendon's Sewell seized on two opportunities for an attacking run, it looked as if Slough had burnt up their energies in simply trying to get a commanding hold on the ball. Little evidence of decisive teamwork raised fears of a goalless draw, even defeat, and another gloomy session in the changing room.
But the game perked up miraculously after half an hour as Slough spotted the gaps in Hendon's already weak defence. A good run by Dave Russell, with Hendon caught very much on the hop, turned the tables at last. The attack was on and a couple of good runs from nifty Alan Gane promised a more gutsy and watchable second half.
The opportunity for a long awaited lead came 12 minutes into the second half. A half cleared header from a Hendon defender fell at Cooke's feet and he sent a beautiful, curling volley into the back of the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box.
The next spectacular goal came 10 minutes from the end. The Hendon keeper met an inswinging corner from Friend but he punched it away only as far as Wharton who sent in a volley from a difficult angle.
A few minutes into injury time Hendon's Sewell netted an easy consolation goal.
Things are definitely looking up for the Rebels now and tomorrow's crowd can look forward to a confident, and hopefully successful, game.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Tim Turl
- 3 Roger Mackay
- 4 Ian Cooke
- 5 Eric Young
- 6 Mick Wharton
- 7 Dave Russell
- 8 Alan Gane
- 9 Paul Lee
- 10 Barry Friend
- 11 Micky Kiely
Substitutes
- 12 Peter Feely
Hendon Lineup
Smart, Anderson, Hand, Roughan, Cambell, Haider, Hendrick, Butler, Garrini, Sewell, Stewart.