Slough Town
1
Metcalfe (68)
Staines Town
0
League
Barry Metcalfe
SLOUGH Town won their first league match of the season with a Barry Metcalfe goal against local rivals Staines on Bank Holiday Monday.
But there was little cause for optimism at Wexham Park especially when Roger Mackay was forced to leave the field midway through the first half with a knee injury.
Mackay, who only returned from coaching in America last week, had been fouled earlier by Staines striker Jester Williams. There was no doubt that Williams should have been shown the yellow card but the referee chose to give a few words of warning instead.
It was the third successive match that a Slough player had had to leave the field after being fouled. Unless their fortunes improve, manager Joe Arpino will have to bring more reserves into the side or enter the transfer market.
Certainly matters cannot get much worse. Peter Feely and Tim Turl both played despite lacking match fitness while Paul Lee, still suffering from a badly bruised ankle, replaced the injured David Russell.
Understandably, Slough's performance in this uncompromising local derby was far from inspiring. But the players showed a lot more fight and character than in their rock bottom display against Croydon two days earlier.
They produced the best move of the first half in the 37th minute when Barry Friend ran on the left and turned the ball back to Richard Strong who hit it first time into the penalty area. Ian Cooke raced in between two defenders but shot straight at goalkeeper Rick Collier.
A jinking run by Jester Williams ended in disappointment for Staines early in the second half when he shot weakly at Richard Teale after beating both Graham Maskell and Tim Turl.
Slough started to look as if they might take control of the game and Staines player/manager Rob Williams was booked for bringing down Barry Metcalfe.
The off-form striker took suitable revenge in the 68th minute when he lobbed the ball over Collier and into the net for the winner. He had been left with only the keeper to beat after Staines centre back Barry Steer had failed to cut out a Peter Feely cross from the right.
But Slough's celebrations were marred nine minutes from time when referee Brian O'Leary, who was also the official at the Croydon match, booked skipper John Beyer. Beyer had kicked the ball away after a free kick had been given against him. It was a bookable offence but referee O'Leary had not even lectured one of several players who had done the same earlier in the game.
But there was little cause for optimism at Wexham Park especially when Roger Mackay was forced to leave the field midway through the first half with a knee injury.
Mackay, who only returned from coaching in America last week, had been fouled earlier by Staines striker Jester Williams. There was no doubt that Williams should have been shown the yellow card but the referee chose to give a few words of warning instead.
It was the third successive match that a Slough player had had to leave the field after being fouled. Unless their fortunes improve, manager Joe Arpino will have to bring more reserves into the side or enter the transfer market.
Certainly matters cannot get much worse. Peter Feely and Tim Turl both played despite lacking match fitness while Paul Lee, still suffering from a badly bruised ankle, replaced the injured David Russell.
Understandably, Slough's performance in this uncompromising local derby was far from inspiring. But the players showed a lot more fight and character than in their rock bottom display against Croydon two days earlier.
They produced the best move of the first half in the 37th minute when Barry Friend ran on the left and turned the ball back to Richard Strong who hit it first time into the penalty area. Ian Cooke raced in between two defenders but shot straight at goalkeeper Rick Collier.
A jinking run by Jester Williams ended in disappointment for Staines early in the second half when he shot weakly at Richard Teale after beating both Graham Maskell and Tim Turl.
Slough started to look as if they might take control of the game and Staines player/manager Rob Williams was booked for bringing down Barry Metcalfe.
The off-form striker took suitable revenge in the 68th minute when he lobbed the ball over Collier and into the net for the winner. He had been left with only the keeper to beat after Staines centre back Barry Steer had failed to cut out a Peter Feely cross from the right.
But Slough's celebrations were marred nine minutes from time when referee Brian O'Leary, who was also the official at the Croydon match, booked skipper John Beyer. Beyer had kicked the ball away after a free kick had been given against him. It was a bookable offence but referee O'Leary had not even lectured one of several players who had done the same earlier in the game.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Graham Maskell
- 3 Roger Mackay 12
- 4 Ian Cooke
- 5 Tim Turl
- 6 John Beyer
- 7 Paul Lee
- 8 Alan Gane
- 9 Barry Metcalfe
- 10 Barry Friend
- 11 Peter Feely
Substitutes
- 12 Richard Strong 3