Super, Town!

SLOUGH moved into the group finals in the F.A. Cup on Saturday when they shocked Hayes, who are having a fine season, by beating them soundly on their own ground. As a result the Rebels now find Football League opposition in the Cup a distinct possibility.

The transformation of the side between Thursday night's fiasco and Saturday afternoon's triumph had to be seen to be believed. It was quite the best performance for six months and it was almost as if the side, having been away for a long holiday, had returned rejuvenated.

But there was very little difference in the composition of the team between the two games. Ian Cooke returned to midfield, where his class was evident, and Steve Norman who looks like a fish out of water in midfield, stepped into the centre-back position in place of Joe Maloney with outstanding success.

Slough attacked from the outset, and in the fifth minute almost took the lead when Barry Friend volleyed the ball against the crossbar. The little midfield player was prominent in the early stages and he provided a teasing cross which resulted in Jarrett saving well from Russell.

It was Friend who eventually gave Slough the interval lead, when midway through the first half he picked up a loose clearance and shot into the net off the far post.

The visiting camp must have been delighted with the interval lead as they had been playing against the wind, but in the second half it became clear that the breeze was not altogether advantageous.

Hayes, pressing forward with John Harrison playing an outstanding role, had Slough defending stubbornly, but they were unable to match the Wexham Park side for sheer football ability, and in the 55th minute Slough went further ahead with a goal to remember, and one to outshine even "Goal of the Month" on Television, by its sheer speed and simplicity of execution.

Steve Norman hoisted a long clearance to Peter Feely, who was being closely marked by Walter Lees. Taking his defender with him a couple of yards to the right, the Slough centre forward placed a reverse pass straight into the path of Dave Russell, who hit it first time into the net from 20 yards.

Hayes were not dismayed and continued to force several corners. Slough fans, remembering losing a two-goal lead at the same ground three seasons ago when Hayes scored three goals in five minutes, were still keeping their fingers crossed, and a quarter of an hour from time their worst fears were realised.

Terry Brown replaced Mick McGovern in the Hayes attack after 70 minutes and five more had passed when Tim Turl under-hit a back pass to Dale Scott and John Harrison stole in to turn the ball into the net.

One minute later it was 2-2. Vic Akers centred well from the left behind the Slough defence and little John Harrison soared to head past Scott.

At this point Micky Kiely replaced Paul Lee in the Slough attack, and it was one of those occasions when a substitution proved to be inspired. Nine minutes from time, Slough were given a free kick on the left, and Friend, who with Cooke had played a vital part in Slough's performance, found Kiely with a perfectly placed kick and he headed firmly past Jarrett.

The game was now once more finely balanced. Hayes pushed forward, leaving their rearguard exposed. Peter Feely had a shot just smothered as he escaped from Lees and Kiely shot into the side netting.

The decisive goal came in the 87th minute when Kiely, fresh and full of running, was brought down inside the area. Alan Gane, taking the spot kick, saw his first shot saved by Jarrett, but as the keeper had moved the kick had to be retaken. This time Gane made sure and the game was Slough's beyond recall.