Penalty turns the tide at Woking

A 36th minute penalty proved to be the turning point for injury hit Slough Town at Woking on Tuesday evening when they stumbled to their second successive Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division away defeat.

With Dave Russell joining the already injured Pat Morrissey and Barry Friend, Steve Norman suspended, and Keith White only fit enough to be named as substitute, Slough were again forced to completely reorganise their side. Terry Reardon and Dave Yerby returned to the side in midfield, and it was in this department that the Rebels suffered most desperately, missing the skills of both Morrissey and Russell.

However for 36 minutes Slough more than held their own against an unpredictable Woking side. But the turning point came when the referee awarded what looked a harsh penalty after Reardon was adjudged to have fouled John Cooper following a scramble on the edge of the penalty area. Tony Morton converted the kick giving Richard Teale no chance.

This seemed to completely demoralise the Rebels, and when Woking went further ahead just one minute after the break they were on their way to a second successive 2-0 away defeat. During the opening half hour both sides created several promising chances, but it was Woking who came closest to scoring.

After just five minutes a cross from Tony Field found Morton unmarked, but his shot was pushed away for a corner by Teale. Eggie James, who made a particularly lively start against his former side, then went close with a dipping shot from 25 yards, and after 17 minutes Eric Young saw a header go inches over the bar after James had headed on a John Beyer free kick.

Just when Slough appeared to be settling down and getting more to grips with the midfield, Woking were awarded their penalty and the Rebels never really recovered from this killer blow.

Within one minute of the second half Slough were caught cold by a quick Woking break and a goal of stunning simplicity and superbly executed. Morton completely outran the Slough defence on the left hand side of the field and then sent over a perfect low cross for the unmarked Martin Black to hammer home from about five yards. This goal virtually killed the game as a spectacle for the remaining 44 minutes.

Slough strived hard to make a spirited comeback, but passes continually went astray and they looked a very disjointed side. Meanwhile Woking seemed quite prepared to sit back on their lead and their only attacks came from the occasional quick break as Slough pushed more men up in an attempt to salvage a goal.

With 65 minutes gone White, who despite suffering from an ankle injury was forced to be substitute, replaced Neil Pettifer. Six minutes later Slough had their best chance of the half, but James fired over from close range after a Vic Akers free kick had found its way to the striker.

At the other end Black headed just wide and then Teale made a fine save to foil Black following a cross from Morton. Strangely Woking showed little of the impressive skills that earned them a 1-1 draw at Wexham Park earlier in the season, and had Slough been able to put their defence under more pressure one felt the final result may have been different.

To complete a miserable evening for the Rebels, Young and Micky O'Sullivan were both booked for fouls.