Batten hits Slough hopes

Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood

1
Batten (pen 67)
Slough Town

Slough Town

0
League Richard Teale
A 67th minute penalty from Jeff Batten dented Slough Town's Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division championship hopes in a disappointing evening for the Rebels at Broughinge Road on Tuesday. This was Slough's third league defeat this season.

Slough were made to pay for not taking their chances in the first 45 minutes, because after the break they allowed a mediocre Boreham Wood side to take the initiative and dominate much of the action. In fact Slough's second half performance was one of their worst this season, as the midfield lost control of the game and consequently the Rebels did not raise a single dangerous effort on the Boreham Wood goal.

Slough made a lively start and in the opening 15 minutes looked as though they were going to overwhelm Boreham Wood. Twice Mickey Kiely forced Steve Waller to make good saves, but it was Richard Teale who prevented Boreham Wood from taking the lead after 31 minutes when he foiled a Roy Butler header with a good save at the base of the post.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Slough had two golden chances to score. First after 42 minutes a through ball from Eric Young beat the Boreham offside trap and set Barry Friend clear. However with Waller having advanced well off his line, Friend hit his shot weakly wide of the target.

Then one minute later Eggie James fired over from close range, when in a good position, after an attempted clearance from Glen Tyler fell to him about 10 yards out.

After James went close at the start of the second half, Boreham Wood gradually began to dominate the match. Both Henry Pacquette and Steve Baker caused a hesitant Rebels defence plenty of problems with their direct running.

And after 67 minutes it was the running power of Pacquette that led to his side’s penalty and winning goal. A quickly taken free kick by Terry Reardon was intercepted and swept downfield where Pacquette broke clear. He was finally brought down by Dave Yerby and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick. Batten converted past Teale.

With 20 minutes left Bruce Poynter replaced Friend, but this could not boost Slough's bid for an equaliser and the match ended with Boreham in control and finishing deserved winners.

Midfield player Keith White is likely to be out for about six weeks with the ankle injury which has been troubling him for most of the season. The former Burnham player is hoping to have an operation on the injury as soon as possible.

Boreham Wood Lineup

Rebels

Slough Town FC is not responsible for content produced on external websites | Copyright Slough Town FC 2024