It's not that impossible for Slough Town

HOW Slough Town ever came anywhere near losing this Berger Isthmian League match is almost beyond belief. They were so superior, created so many chances and played such superb football at times in atrocious conditions that 6-0 would not have flattered them.

As it was, they only managed to score twice, both by Peter Feely. Leytonstone pulled one back five minutes from the end - and Slough finished on their nerve-ends.

The scoreline is a creditable one for bottom-of-the-table Leytonstone, but there was nothing to suggest they can produce a remarkable revival to avoid relegation.

Their hopes are dead and buried, but Slough's title chances need not be so impossible if they can maintain some of the skilful moves they produced in the mud on Saturday. True, they were playing a poor side, but at least Slough did have the confidence and ability to attempt some delicate and exciting football. And it deserved much richer rewards.

It could also be argued that if Slough continue to squander chances as readily as they did against Leytonstone they will have no chance of winning anything for a long time. But Slough are back on top and it must be considered that Enfield, with county cup and FA Trophy commitments, have to play Dulwich, Barking and Slough, games which could be decisive in favour of any of those four clubs.

So far Barking have looked the best equipped to take the title, but Slough have the least pressure and when it comes to playing three games a week for others that could prove the all-important factor. Slough have now lost only one of their last nine league games and won seven of them, which is rather good form by any standards.

Compared with so much else in the Isthmian league this season they do also play with a bit of style, although they can have abysmal off days. Saturday's was one of the more stylish performances really, quite enjoyable particularly the first half when Slough looked like running riot.

There was a lovely dipping shot from Russell which must have taken paintwork off the crossbar; a neat back-flick by Kiely which set Feely up but Danson dived to save; a tremendous shot from Russell again which smashed against the post and Friend unbelievably headed the rebound over.

A goal had to come, and it did - after 20 minutes. Full-back Turl, always linking up so effectively with the attack, headed on for Russell who crossed low and hard across the six-yard box and Feely made scoring look so simple.

Teale had to make one good save, stretching to smother a shot from Jaques in the mud, but Leytonstone were so ineffective that they did not win a corner until the 75th minute. By then Slough had squandered a few more chances, Friend the most incredible. With goalkeeper Danson beaten by a cross he only had a defender to beat from six yards, but hit him on the line.

It was his corner, however, which Feely headed in after 79 minutes - but when Jaques drove home a late goal for Leytonstone it produced a rather uneasy finish for Slough.