Late goal knocks Slough out of FA Cup

Cirencester Town

Cirencester Town

1
Davies (80)
Slough Town

Slough Town

0
FA Cup Attendance: 122 Michael Blount
There will be no repeat of last season's adventure to the FA Cup First Round Proper for Slough, after a late headed goal knocked the Rebels out at Cirencester.

Steve Davies planted a free header into Jake Somerville's goal ten minutes from time on Tuesday evening to deny Slough, still missing a number of players through injury, a tie at Banbury United in the next round.

Slough can count themselves unlucky to be out after another even contest, hot on the heels of Sunday’s encounter. The Rebels made two changes from the first tie, with Scott Harris and James McClurg both returning to the starting eleven.

Slough made a bright start, heading over the bar from an attacking free kick, before Darren Wheeler, having made a strong run down the left to the by-line, sent in a cross which Garner, the Cirencester keeper, was pleased to see cleared for a corner.

The hosts then launched an attack of their own, with a one-two between James Mortimer-Jones and Steve Davies releasing the striker, who shot wide. The pacy Lee Smith was also proving to be a threat with his touch and awareness, but Slough were playing the better football without threatening the Ciren goal to that point.

With minutes to go before half time, Wheeler made a penetrating run down the left and then cut across the face of the box before unleashing a shot at goal that was deflected for a corner.

At the beginning of the second half, both sides had a sight of goal, with Shayne Anson playing the ball into the path of Sam Collier, who neatly laid it off for Joe Shepherd to shoot wide of the near post. For Slough, McClurg tried his luck from 20 yards, but Garner comfortably saved his effort.

Johnnie Dyer brought a good save from Garner, the keeper tipping the ball out for a corner at the near post. From the corner, Slough came the closest to scoring the first goal, Wheeler delivering an inviting ball which Scott Harris headed powerfully over.

Danger man Lee Smith set up a shooting chance for Collier with an hour gone, but he hit a shot on the turn into the side netting. Minutes later Smith again instigated a good move which resulted in Collier striking the ball wide of the post again.

Slough responded with a quick break of their own down the right, with Wheeler crossing and Dyer meeting the ball head-on, but seeing his effort fly over the bar.

With the game in the balance, Wheeler again went close, cutting in from the right and having a shot saved, and Collier put another effort just wide of the post.

But with ten minutes left, Ciren took the lead. Ellis Dunton’s super ball to the far post was met by the head of Davies, who rose unmarked to power an effort past Somerville and send the hosts through.
It could have been two after a superb run down the right from Bennett, but his low cross into the middle was just too far ahead of Jody Bevan’s outstretched foot.

Slough piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but Ciren repelled the Rebels’ efforts and survived a half-hearted penalty appeal as Ed Smith hit the turf, to claim their place in the next round.

Cirencester Town Lineup

Garner, Anson (c), Dunton, Mortimer-Jones, Beedon, Henry, Shepherd, Hooper, Collier, Davies, Lee Smith. Subs: Bennett, Bond, Bevan, Bromley, Jack Smith.

Rebels

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