Late goal gives Town the points

A WELL TAKEN GOAL by Roy Davies in the final minutes of normal time sent the Slough fans home reasonably happy at the end of this match at Wexham Park on Saturday, after their favourites had squandered plenty of scoring opportunities.

The Bishops are renowned for playing better away from home and they certainly put up a good show under most difficult conditions on this occasion.

The opening stages of the game belonged to Slough for who Alan Gane was only just wide after only three minutes. A superb cross by Paul Lee then fell badly for Terry Brown who shot wide. Then the Bishops began to put their attacks together well and Dillsworth's well taken corners had the home defence at full stretch, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 20th minute when a low centre from the left ran across the Slough penalty area.

As Porter left his post to field the ball, Malley intervened and the ball slowly bobbled off his foot to where Trevor Porter had been moments before, the Slough captain watching aghast as it rolled slowly into an unguarded net.

"The Rebels" were not dismayed and within a minute Kitson saved magnificently from Davies and from the resultant corner was hard pressed to deal with a header from Terry Brown. Slough were now well on top and Paul Lee dribbled through the Bishops' defence only to see his final effort blocked on the line.

However, Slough were not to be denied and a beautifully judged pass by Dennis Malley sent Paul Lee down the left wing where he beat Gough easily to cross the ball to Terry Brown. Terry controlled the ball but seemed to take an incredible amount of time before he actually hit the ball past Kitson. That was in the 37th minute and a reminder of how much more dangerous Lee can be when attacking down the left.

The second half started with Slough well on top, Lee having a shot saved on the line within a minute. Shortly after this the visitors had a let off when Alan Gane struck the ball through the legs of Gough to hit the woodwork, and then more good work by Lee saw him shoot inches wide of the far post.

Brown was the next to almost create a goal when he intercepted a poor back pass and rounded Kitson only to lose his feet and sense of direction and his efforts came to nothing.

As time began to run out it began to look as though Slough would never score again and it was the visitors who began to look the more dangerous, and five minutes from time Mackenzie, who had brushed the bar with a long distance volley in the first half, tried a similar shot but Malley directed the ball over the bar.

Then Porter brilliantly caught another fierce drive in mid-air, and it began to look as if Slough would be very happy to settle for a draw. Then in the 89th minute Dennis Malley picked up a loose ball and forged upfield where he was brought down between the half way line and the penalty area.

Quickly taking the kick himself, he laid the ball off to Davies who beat two defenders and fired an unstoppable shot past Kitson off the foot of the post. With this encouragement they then played out the remaining three minutes of injury time without too much trouble.