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Wed Mar 20
14:00

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The National League U19 Alliance
6th
19pts

Rebels Open Up With Draw

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Winston (59)
Hornchurch

Hornchurch

1
Benstock (90)
League Attendance: 361 Michael Gilkes
Slough Town lined up in hot summer sunshine to start their campaign in the Ryman Division One North. Kitted out in their newly designed kit, they started brightly against their big spending opposition.

A Micheal Gilkes free kick flashed narrowly wide as it was fired across the goal as the Rebels pressed for an opening, but moment later, their hearts were in their mouths as Zepherin in the Slough goal misjudged the bounce of a long through ball, but just recovered in time to prevent an embarrassing goal. Slough continued to press and saw two Andrew Deaner efforts go narrowly wide of either post. Tony Boot also saw his diving header go narrowly wide after more good work from Michael Gilkes on the left wing.

Hornchurch's opening chance of the game came when a well worked passing move found Chris Wolff with some time in the area, but the striker seemed caught in two minds and hit a tame shot low to Zephering's left hand side which was comfortably saved. The two teams now began to cancel each other out with real chances at a premium. Steve Daly won an aerial battle in the Hornchurch area shortly before half time, but saw his effort go narrowly over the bar. Shortly after, Ryan Spencer saw a volley from a tight angle go over the bar, when possibly better options were waiting for a cut back.

Both sides started sluggishly for the second half as the first chance took ten minutes in coming. A Paul Reed corner drifted over to the back post to find an unmarked Andrew Deaner whose volley crashed into the side netting. A potential goal of the season came shortly after. Michael Gilkes ran into space on the left wing before crossing far to the back post with a diagonal ball. Sammy Winston ran onto the end of this cross and volleyed the ball powerfully across the goal into the far corner of the net. Soon after, Andrew Deaner went close with a similar effort.

Michael Gilkes himself nearly scored midway through the second half as he used his pace to beat the last man, but saw his effort well saved by the advancing Paul Wood in the Hornchurch goal. Steve Hale went narrowly wide with ten minutes remaining. Obviously inspired by the earlier effort from Winston, a long Metcalfe through ball was hit first time on the volley only to go narrowly wide of the angle.

Hornchurch began to add some pressure to the Slough back line and began to assert themselves back on the game. Slough still managed to maintain a lot of control around midfield and strong appeals for a penalty were turned down after Steve Hale was felled in the box with Winston shooting over from the resulting tackle.

With two minutes remaining, the impressive Metcalfe was sent from the pitch after receiving his second booking and this gave Hornchurch the inspiration as they began to raise their game again. In the final minute, the pressure finally told as a right wing cross was only half cleared to the edge of the area where Danny Benstock was on hand to hammer the ball home with a sweet volley.

Hornchurch Lineup

Rebels

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