Town won't climb up the table on this form

SLOUGH Town finished a poor second best to Leatherhead in all departments on Saturday and they must now realise that the mathematical chance they stand of climbing up the Isthmian League table to join the leaders will never materialise unless there is a drastic improvement.

Third-placed Leatherhead, inspired by two former Slough captains in Dennis Malley and Barrie Davies, had so much more authority than Slough that the home side were fortunate to lose by only one goal.

Town, who occupy 12th place, obviously haven't got the necessary midfield composure or the attacking flair to offer any sort of challenge to leaders Enfield, even though Slough have several games in hand on them. Slough have too many lightweight ball players and sadly lack power.

Only in the first 16 minutes - when there could easily have been two goals to each side - did Slough look like matching a slick Leatherhead outfit. The first two chances fell to Leatherhead's Mick Cook but he sent one wide and the other just over the bar.

Slough's Dave Russell, who would surely be better suited to a striking role than a midfield position, then counter attacked cleverly, only to see his shot rebound off the knees of keeper Swannell.

Soon afterwards Russell again got in a shot which went beyond the far post to Lee whose follow-up attempt flashed across goal. Even then Kiely could have converted the ball but he also squandered his chance.

Following this lively exchange, play was confined to mid-field where Leatherhead began to take the initiative. The visitors generally looked sharper and were rewarded with a 43rd minute goal. Goalkeeper Teale punched the ball away from Baker but it fell to Micky Cook who made amends for his earlier misses with a 25 yard drive that was deflected into the net.

This roused Slough and Friend, who was playing against his former team-mates, fired in a fine drive which rebounded from the post. He pounced on the rebound to cross for Kiely to get in a header which Swannell dived to save.

Leatherhead needed another goal to make sure of victory and they got it in the 51st minute thanks to a lucky deflection. Chris Kelly's shot hit Dave Reid on the hind quarters and dropped over the goal-line, just inside the left hand post.

Slough, whose fans were so disenchanted that a group of them were playing their own match on the adjoining practice pitch, now began to look disorganised. Manager Joe Arpino's answer was to send on substitute Cooke for the off form Kiely and push Friend into attack with 64 minutes gone. At the same time Leatherhead replaced the injured Kelly with ex-Slough defender Eaton.

By now Slough were showing signs of a fierce battle - Lee had his left wrist strapped up and Friend had his shirt almost ripped from his back - and they looked ready to surrender. Camp went close for Leatherhead on three occasions, the last being a well judged header which Turl, standing on the line, nodded against the bar.

Slough eventually shook off their lethargy and, after Lee and Russell had missed chances, they reduced the arrears in the 81st minute. In a hectic scramble right-back Tim Turl had a shot blocked by Swannell but followed up to slam in the rebound.

With the minutes ticking away, Slough saw their chance of an equaliser disappear when Swannell risked injury by diving bravely at Lee's feet as the Slough forward tried to connect with a headed pass from Feely.