Brakes halt Slough's progress

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
W Harris (62)
Leamington

Leamington

3
Stonehouse o.g. (14), Ogleby (80), Austin (90+2)
League Attendance: 286 Ryan Hope
Slough found no home comforts following back to back away victories as they went down 3-1 to a Leamington side who adjusted better to the conditions at Holloways Park.

Warren Harris’ goal had levelled the scores after a Paul Stonehouse own goal just before the quarter hour mark, but another Stonehouse error led to Leamington regaining the lead before the visitors wrapped up the points with a late third.

The Rebels joint managers both expressed their disappointment with the result, with Slough looking the more likely at 1-1 to go on and win the game until a defensive mistake allowed Leamington to take control.

Quality was at a premium on a sodden pitch and in fact the first three goals of the game came from individual mistakes.

After a positive start from the home team, which included a Lee Barney strike easily saved and a Lewis Putman free kick which was curled wide, it was the visitors who took the lead on 14 minutes. The industrious Courtney Baker-Richardson, possibly Leamington’s best player on the day, saw his low cross from the left turned into his own net by the Rebels' left back Stonehouse, who was trying to clear on the line under minimal pressure.

In response, Slough threatened as a long Guy Hollis throw came into the box, but Brakes ‘keeper Tony Breeden was alert and smothered the ball from Barney’s shot.

Leamington striker Ben Mackey was a threat as he turned and shot from distance, with the ball flying just over the bar, and soon after Ryan Hope needed to be at his best to cover and tackle well as Baker-Richardson looked to be clean through after a defensive mix-up. Former St Neots Town man Mackey then fired wide again as the Brakes maintained their pressure.

For Slough, Barney was looking the man most likely, but he saw another first-time effort held by Breeden, before later slipping as Hollis tried to play him in. Eddie Smith also shot wide from the edge of the box.

Lee Moore got past Stonehouse at the other end and tried to beat Mark Scott, but he was able to turn the ball behind as the first half drew to a close.

The second half started slowly but James Mase should have doubled the lead just before the hour mark, but he got his feet in a muddle from four yards out.

Minutes later, Slough were level. Mase was involved again, but this time he missed his interception allowing the ball to run to Ed Smith, whose delicate cross was headed home by Warren Harris in the six yard box.

Slough could have been in front moments later, but Richard Taundry cleared off the line from Guy Hollis’ acrobatic effort following a corner.

Lewis Putman then shot over from the edge of the area after Dan Hicks had headed on another Hollis long throw.

With the pitch becoming increasingly sticky due to the incessant rain, conditions were difficult for the two sides, and the pitch was to prove a factor in Leamington regaining the lead.

After Sam Austin had seen his effort slow down on its way to goal due to the mud, the luckless Stonehouse was to have another moment to forget.

Slough were having the better of the game until Stonehouse’s attempted back pass to Scott held up on the boggy surface, allowing Leamington substitute Rob Ogleby to nip in and tap the ball into an unguarded net with just ten minutes remaining.

A quick break almost led to another Brakes goal soon after, with Ogleby forcing a save from Scott.

One positive for the home side was the return of Jake Parsons following a long injury lay-off, but Slough’s attempts to get back into the game were in vain despite the best efforts of Scott Harris, whose shot was held by Breeden after a good run from Putman took him past several defenders.

The win was secured in injury time as Sam Austin broke through and rounded Scott to again have the simplest of finishes.

Leamington Lineup

Tony Breeden (c), Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, James Mase, Lee Moore (James Fry 90+3), Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey (Rob Ogleby 76), Courtney Baker-Richardson (Ross Oulton 86), Sam Austin. Subs not used: Ben George, Jamie Tank.

Rebels

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