Town Survive Cliff Hanging Finish

Slough Town

Slough Town

2
Gaine (83), Day (90+1)
Leytonstone

Leytonstone

1
Harvey (90)
FA Amateur Cup
After one of the most exciting finishes seen at the Stadium for years Slough Town moved into the last eight of the Amateur Cup for the fourth time in five years and kept intact their unbeaten home record in this competition since November 1965. All the goals were scored in the last seven minutes with Roger Day, the Slough captain, hitting the winning goal in the 91st minute (injury time). This was Leytonstone's first defeat in 23 games.

Slough were still without D'Arcy and continued with Reardon at centre back and young Martin Swadling, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Sunday, operated in midfield and had another good game.

It was a very hard cup-tie and although it was not a "dirty" game 45 free-kicks were awarded, with Slough gaining one more than the visitors.

The game started well for the visitors. Confidently pressing forward, they had the ball in the Slough net within 90 seconds, through Harvey, but an infringement robbed them of a goal. Thirty seconds later Anthony was put clear of the Stones defence by O'Sullivan, but the ball slowed in the mud and was cleared off the Welsh wingman's feet.

Slough gained control from this point and could well have gone in front in the 13th minute when Swadling fired a shot just the wrong side of the upright. In the 19th a Chatterton header was easily saved.

In the 29th from Slough's fourth corner a fine glancing header by Mead with cleared off the Stones goal-line with Mackie well beaten. Many chances were set up, but the old Slough failing of lost chances kept Leytonstone in the game.

After the interval Slough came out with a rush and swept the visitors back, and in the 54th it looked as though Slough were doomed not to score when a fine shot from Swadling rebounded oft Mackie's chest, and Gain got a foot to the ball but it was deflected for a corner. From this, the seventh Slough corner, the ball bobbed about in the goalmouth, and Chatterton gained possession, only to be hauled to the ground by Smith, but Mr. Robinson waved aside appeals for a penalty.

After further Slough pressure Anthony raced away on the right, but was felled just inside the area, but as so often happens in these cases, the free-kick was awarded outside the area when a penalty should have been awarded. With Slough so much on top the defenders began to give the two Leytonstone forwards just that bit of extra room, and it almost cost a goal when Harvey raced away in the 76th minute, swerving past Mead, Reardon and Reid, but with the goal at his mercy he miskicked and the ball sailed well wide.

From Slough's 11th corner Day had a fine shot well saved. Then with a replay looking a certainty Slough went in front. Anthony raced clear on the right and was felled just outside the box. Eaton took the free kick, Anthony tried a shot but the ball hit a defender and spun across the goalmouth where Gain stuck out his foot and eased the ball over the line.

Slough's jubilation was short-lived for in the 90th minute Harvey again raced clear from a Robinson pass and hit a narrow-angled shot across the goalmouth and in off the far post.

The jubilation was now with the visitors, but few of them o: indeed few of the deserting Slough supporters expected the final act in these incredible last minutes. Slough kicked off and immediately Bull fouled O'Sullivan Eaton took the free-kick and floated the ball over the Stones defence for Roger Day to lob the ball into the roof of the net and so complete a well-deserved victory.

Leytonstone Lineup

Rebels

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