Two-goal James strikes as Slough draw again

DESPITE two goals from Eggie James, Slough Town had to settle for a draw when Harlow Town visited Wexham Park on Saturday. This was the Rebels fourth draw in the Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division this season.

Generally this was a rather disappointing Slough performance, as Harlow belied their lowly league position. The Rebels seemed to lack their usual urgency and enthusiasm and consequently never really took complete control of a match they always looked capable of winning.

Slough certainly created enough chances to take the three points, and had two efforts cleared off the line and saw another strike the crossbar. However in the first 30 minutes it was Harlow who created most of the goalscoring chances and looked the more dangerous side.

After just five minutes John Mackenzie gave Paul Gilberts a great chance to put his side ahead. However from about five yards, and with only Richard Teale to beat, he shot wide of the target. Harlow's direct running and workmanlike approach never allowed the Rebels to settle, and it was the Essex side who came closest to scoring, again, after 27 minutes.

A header from close range by Peter Twigg was superbly saved by Teale, following a free kick on the right taken by Gilberts. However despite this early Harlow pressure it was Slough who scored first. Micky Kiely broke on the left and after a powerful run turned the ball back to Keith White. His low cross was headed on Pat Morrissey, and as the ball ran across the face of the goal James stole in between two Harlow defenders to head the ball home from close range.

Three minutes later White almost scored what would have been one of the finest goals ever seen at Wexham Park. On a superb run he beat three Harlow players and then with only Paul Kitson to beat, in the Harlow goal, saw his shot go inches wide of the post.

Within two minutes Harlow were back on level terms. A free kick awarded to Harlow on the right was taken quickly, catching the Slough players cold, and Gilberts pushed the ball through for Mackenzie to score a simple goal.

This goal came at the time Slough were enjoying their best spell of the match and threatening to score a second goal and take control. One minute before the interval Dave Yerby almost scored a second Slough goal. A superb run into the penalty area ended with his shot blocked on the line by a Harlow defender.

Slough started the second half determined to put their disappointing first half performance behind them. After 47 minutes Mickey O'Sullivan saw his header cleared off the line by Vic Clarke, and then Dave Russell turned and shot wide from a good position.

Then just five minutes later the Rebels found themselves behind. Good work and a fine ball from Simon Wilson caught the Slough defence square and Mackenzie ran on to place the ball home, after the advancing Teale had failed to foil the Harlow striker.

With 59 minutes gone Barry Friend replaced the injured White, who was suffering from a groin injury. Following a series of near misses Slough finally equalised after 69 minutes. A great run by Beyer on the right resulted in a perfect cross for James to head home at the far post.

Both sides pressed for a winner, and in the final minutes of the game were almost rewarded. First Friend saw a superb chip from the edge of the penalty area beat goalkeeper Kitson, only to hit the crossbar and be cleared before James could put the loose ball home.

Then at the other end a bad throw from Teale almost gave Twigg the chance to score. But, with the goalkeeper beaten, his shot crept just past the post.