Rebels Step Nearer Retaining Title

Contenders for the Athenian League championship, Harlow, were swept aside by the reigning champions, Slough Town, on Saturday without the latter ever having to get into top gear.

Three goals up through Gaine (2) and Chatterton left the Essex side gasping and the consolation of one goal, scored from the penalty spot, makes the game look a lot closer than it really was. This victory puts Slough right back in the title race with only Tilbury appearing as a danger.

Owing to the suspension of Keith Mead, Terry Reardon was again playing at centreback, with Martin Swadling coming in at midfield. Harlow also had their centreback on the suspended list.

Swadling had a very good match, perhaps his best in senior football, even if he did fade somewhat in the second half. Reardon was again a perfect replacement for Mead but how irritating for Harlow to see a centre back waltz down the wing and conjure the ball past two or three defenders. Slough, from the start, were ticking over nicely and always in complete control.

Slough kicked off against a very strong wind but they showed their mastery from the first whistle. A handful of spectators saw Slough gain two corners in the fourth minute, a Chatterton header being deflected just wide from the first. One of Harlow's rare efforts came in the eighth when Sedgewich hammered a fine shot but an on-form Wolstenholme brought off a fine diving save. With Swadling setting the pace in midfield Slough powered forward and should have gone in front from a Reardon free kick in the 15th.

Three minutes later O'Sullivan shot on the turn but his shot was turned for a corner by the keeper. From the kick the ball came out to Chatterton who hammered it into the back of the net through a ruck of defenders but Reid, still standing on the goal-line, was given offside. Four minutes later and Slough's perseverance paid off, Davy passing inside from the night to Anthony, who beat two men before pushing the ball into the path of Gaine overlapping from the right, and the Slough youngster controlled the ball before firing it into the back of the net.

In the 27th O'Sullivan crossed the ball into a crowded goalmouth and a defender headed into his own net but offside was given. In the 33rd Harlow almost got an equaliser when Thomas fired in a terrific shot but Wolstenholme, with incredible reflexes, somehow blocked the shot and D'Arcy coolly controlled the rebound before giving away a corner under pressure. The effort of the shot was too much for Thomas who had to leave the field to be replaced by Darling three minutes later.

After the interval Harlow showed a bit more life and Slough, moving without any urgency, were pushed back. But not for long as the visitors gradually regained control of the midfield, On the hour, from Slough's sixth corner, Day found Chatterton, but the header went just wide. Five minutes later, with Slough again in control, Reid was chopped down whilst racing down the right wing and King was booked for his part in the action. In the 72nd O'Sullivan thrashed the ball into the back of the Harlow net but the ball had crossed the bye line before it was centred.

Three minutes later and Slough were further in front, Reid crossing from the right bounced past a static keeper for Chatterton to head home and make it 2-0. A further four minutes and the final nail was driven home when Gaine hammered home number three from the edge of the penalty area.

After this the game died a natural death but Harlow dragged themselves up in the final minutes and Day gave away a penalty in the 86th which Duggan converted to complete the scoreline at 1-3, a line that virtually removes Harlow's chances of the league title.