Slough Town
0
Tilbury
0
League
Richard Strong
AFTER the euphoria of completing a rare double over Enfield two days earlier, Slough were brought down to earth at Wexham Park on Saturday by a tough Tilbury side and dropped two vital points to lose touch with Barking in the Isthmian League title race.
It was hard to realise that Slough were playing their 13th unbeaten league match, so poor was their performance. Richard Strong returned to the centre of the defence as Eric Young was injured and proved on the day to be one of Slough's best players, but far too many had little appetite for the game.
Up front Barry Metcalfe, recalled in place of Dave Russell, hardly seemed to compete at all, but the most glaring weakness was in mid-field where Barry Friend was off form and Steve Norman was outpaced. From the start it was clear that neither side had much to offer in the way of ideas, and Tilbury dictated the early stages. After 10 minutes Norman passed straight to Ken Gray who was foiled by the bravery of keeper Teale.
Mick Kiely twice went close for Slough and had a 'goal' disallowed but for the most part there was little to enthuse over.
Referee A. Buksh, who had booked seven players at Barking when Slough played there last December, was again busy and booked both Metcalfe and Barrett of Tilbury for violent play.
In the second-half Mr. Buksh added the names of Slough's Kiely - a harsh decision - and later Tilbury's Cobb to his book which must surely be of Dickensian thickness.
Lee outpaced the Tilbury defence in the 59th minute, but was brought down as he was about to shoot. Slough, who have been awarded only two penalties this season, again had their appeals for a spot kick rejected.
Two minutes later substitute Peter Feely took over from the ineffective Metcalfe and injected more life into the Slough side. Currie pushed the ball past his own keeper, Mills, and was relieved to see it go for a corner, while Feely brought a fine save from Mills with an astute header.
But, with only Ian Cooke impressing in mid-field and Turl below par, Slough could not show enough penetration to get the goal they so desperately needed. And their record of being unbeaten in the league in 1979 is not going to be enough to bring them honours.
It was hard to realise that Slough were playing their 13th unbeaten league match, so poor was their performance. Richard Strong returned to the centre of the defence as Eric Young was injured and proved on the day to be one of Slough's best players, but far too many had little appetite for the game.
Up front Barry Metcalfe, recalled in place of Dave Russell, hardly seemed to compete at all, but the most glaring weakness was in mid-field where Barry Friend was off form and Steve Norman was outpaced. From the start it was clear that neither side had much to offer in the way of ideas, and Tilbury dictated the early stages. After 10 minutes Norman passed straight to Ken Gray who was foiled by the bravery of keeper Teale.
Mick Kiely twice went close for Slough and had a 'goal' disallowed but for the most part there was little to enthuse over.
Referee A. Buksh, who had booked seven players at Barking when Slough played there last December, was again busy and booked both Metcalfe and Barrett of Tilbury for violent play.
In the second-half Mr. Buksh added the names of Slough's Kiely - a harsh decision - and later Tilbury's Cobb to his book which must surely be of Dickensian thickness.
Lee outpaced the Tilbury defence in the 59th minute, but was brought down as he was about to shoot. Slough, who have been awarded only two penalties this season, again had their appeals for a spot kick rejected.
Two minutes later substitute Peter Feely took over from the ineffective Metcalfe and injected more life into the Slough side. Currie pushed the ball past his own keeper, Mills, and was relieved to see it go for a corner, while Feely brought a fine save from Mills with an astute header.
But, with only Ian Cooke impressing in mid-field and Turl below par, Slough could not show enough penetration to get the goal they so desperately needed. And their record of being unbeaten in the league in 1979 is not going to be enough to bring them honours.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Tim Turl
- 3 Roger Mackay
- 4 Steve Norman
- 5 Richard Strong
- 6 John Beyer
- 7 Barry Metcalfe 12
- 8 Ian Cooke
- 9 Paul Lee
- 10 Barry Friend
- 11 Micky Kiely
Substitutes
- 12 Peter Feely 7