Slough's Trophy hopes end at Dartford

DARTFORD pair Gary Julians and Terry Burman served up a superb second-half double act to send Slough Town crashing out of the FA Trophy in the first round at Watling Street on Saturday.

They were involved in all three second-half goals which ended the Rebels' hopes in non-league soccer's premier cup trophy - and left Dartford's supporters enthusing over what they claimed was their side's "Best performance for four years."

However, when the sides went in level at the interval there was little indication of the mauling that the Southern Leaguers were to give Slough in the next 45 minutes. In fact, the Rebels had looked slightly the better side in the first-half, but were made to pay for not taking the chances that had come their way.

Amid a typical cup-tie atmosphere there was a sensational start to the match, when within three minutes Dartford had taken the lead. A corner on the right from Willy O'Sullivan was knocked on by Steve Robinson for Gary Julians to fire home from about 10 yards.

This goal shook the Rebels, however, it was not long before they were back in their stride and pushing for an equaliser. With a strong wind in their favour both Barry Friend and Eggie James went close, before the Darts player manager Glen Coupland went near to presenting the Rebels with an equaliser.

His attempted back-pass to Roger Keen flew past the keeper and looked to have given Pat Morrissey an easy chance. However, the ball ran away from the Slough player and his effort from an acute angle hit the side of the post. Julians and Kiely then went desperately close at either end, before the Rebels scored a deserved equaliser after 42 minutes.

A Morrissey corner on the left found Micky O'Sullivan at the far post and he headed home despite a despairing effort by Robinson on the line. However, this was to be Slough's last moment of glory, because in the second half they became slowly overwhelmed by the Darts.

After 51 minutes Eric Young was replaced by Terry Reardon. From the start Young did not look as though he had fully recovered from the shoulder injury he received on New Year's Day against Wycombe, and it came as no surprise when Reardon replaced him.

Dartford took the lead after 60 minutes - a goal that can be partly attributed to the conditions. A long clearance by Keen was carried by the wind over the top of the Rebels' defence, and Burman ran on to jink inside the covering Slough defenders before calmly placing the ball past Teale.

Six minutes later it looked as though the Rebels would again equalise. A shot from Friend was blocked by the keeper and then Robinson cleared off the line as the Slough striker hit the rebound goalwards.

Burman and Julians then combined to create Dartford's third goal after 77 minutes. A quick raid on the left ended with Burman crossing perfectly to the far post for Julians, unmarked, to head home his 22nd goal this term.

And then Slough's misery was completed when after receiving a pass from Burman, Julians was brought down by John Beyer and a penalty was awarded. Roy Tunbridge placed the spot kick wide of Teale.

On this second-half showing Dartford were probably the best side Slough have faced this term. Their forwards were particularly sharp and their midfield was allowed to dominate for long periods as the Rebels seemed to lack the commitment they had shown earlier in the game. Although the final score slightly flattered the leading Southern League South side, there was no doubt they were worthy winners.

So for the second successive season the Rebels have fallen at the same hurdle in the Trophy, and those Wembley dreams will have to be stored away for another season.