Match day

Team logo
Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28
19:45

Match day

Team logo
Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28 19:45
Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League
1st
45pts

No chance of honours on this form, Slough

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Smith o.g. (73)
Tooting

Tooting

3
Ives (12), Keefe (25), Juneman (pen 72)
League Dave Russell
SLOUGH Town slumped to a dismal home Isthmian League defeat at Wexham Park on Saturday, with even a crushing 3-1 margin not reflecting accurately the total domination of a modest Tooting side.

Yet immediately after the game manager Joe Arpino declared: "I am not going to rush into making team changes. We have the players to do well for the club and what we need is a settled side.

"Of course, it was desperately disappointing today, with three or four key players sadly out of touch. But they will not regain their confidence if they are dropped so we must keep on trying to play attractive football and hope the form and the results start to come."

But on this spiritless showing Slough are likely to lose all chance of league honours early on in the season - just as they had last term.

The game began with Slough producing their only clear cut chance it the whole 90 minutes. Full-back Micky Tripp, making his league debut as Bob Underwood was injured, crossed from a free-kick on the left for lan Cooke to steal in on the blindside of the Tooting defence, only to see his header touched over the bar by keeper Paul Priddy.

After 12 minutes it became apparent just how badly out of touch Slough were. Cooke picked up a loose Tooting clearance just outside the visitors' penalty box. But with plenty of time to cross the ball, he attempted to turn it back instead to defender Tim Turl on the half way line. The pass sold Turl desperately short. He was beaten by speedy Tooting winger Des Dennis who sent Ives away to score easily with a low right foot shot.

In the 25th minute the Slough defence again crumbled as Tooting defender Green floated a hopeful ball into the goalmouth. With three defenders rooted to the spot and John Beyer left struggling behind him, John Keefe darted in to volley superbly past a helpless Porter.

Slough's lack of confidence was best illustrated on the hour when Russell, showing a rare spark of life, controlled the ball well in the Tooting penalty area but with time to spare he turned it back rather than try a shot from 12 yards.

Two minutes later Davies showed his anger and frustration by kicking the ball away from referee J. Martin who promptly booked Town's captain.

In the 72nd minute Slough went 3-0 behind. An innocuous cross was chested down by Tripp who was standing on the edge of the area. To the complete surprise of both sides the referee solemnly pointed to the spot and Juneman slotted in the resultant penalty.

Immediately after the restart Tooting put right this apparent injustice by giving away a gift goal. Gane pumped a high hall into the Tooting defence and with Lee snapping at his heels, Smith, the Tooting captain, turned the ball into his own net.

Tooting Lineup

Rebels

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