Super Kiely goal sends Slough top

A spectacular goal from Micky Kiely 10 minutes from time gave Slough Town a vital point at Harlow on Saturday, and took them clear at the top of the Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division.

However, although the Rebels certainly deserved at least a share of the honours they were somewhat fortunate to gain the point that puts them above Enfield at the top of the table.

Because after falling behind to a first half goal, the Rebels looked to have wasted their chance of going top when Harlow again had the ball in the net with 14 minutes remaining. However, what looked a perfectly good goal was disallowed by the referee, and four minutes later Kiely gave Slough the vital point they required.

With Eric Young absent through injury, Laurie Churchill moved Steve Norman into the centre of defence and Keith White came in at left back.

And it was White, back after a lengthy ankle injury, who was one of the Slough stars along with goalkeeper Richard Teale, who made several vital saves to keep his side in the match, and the energetic running of Kiely up front.

Slough made a lively start and in the first six minutes both Pat Morrissey and Eggie James had possible scoring chances.

However, it was Harlow who took the lead with a superbly worked goal after 23 minutes. A free kick, from just outside the Slough penalty area, was curled to the far post by Bobby Harding, and the unmarked John Mackenzie came into head past a static Slough defence.

Two minutes later only a brilliant one handed save by Teale prevented Harding from scoring from another set piece on the edge of the Rebels' penalty area.

Teale then, again, came to Slough's rescue when he foiled Harding, after the Harlow striker had outstripped both Dave Yerby and John Beyer in a fine run from the halfway line. At the other end Slough were not without their chances, but on too many occasions lacked the conviction in front of goal to turn numerous dangerous efforts into goals.

When James missed a golden opportunity to put the Rebels level just two minutes into the second half it looked as if Slough were fated not to score. A poor back pass put James through, but with only Paul Kitson to beat he hit his shot tamely at the 'keeper's legs.

When Yerby limped off to be replaced by Terry Reardon, after 57 minutes, the Rebels were becoming desperate to turn their overall domination into goals.

And Reardon appeared to be the calming influence the side required, because his introduction saw Slough settle down to play some fine constructive attacking football. A deflected shot by Dave Russell was clutched at the last moment by Kitson, and then after 75 minutes Micky O'Sullivan went close to scoring what would have been the goal of the season. Collecting the ball in his own half, the Rebels' skipper went on a devastating run which took him into the Harlow penalty area before shooting narrowly wide past the advancing Kitson.

But one minute later it looked as though all Slough's efforts had been wasted. A poor back pass from White put Gwyn Walters clear and he rounded Teale before pushing the ball into the empty net.

However, the referee Mr C. Grady from Lightwater was on the spot and to the surprise of most of the crowd disallowed the effort and awarded Slough a free kick. This was just the boost Slough needed and within four minutes they were back on level terms. A long throw from White on the left, where Slough were at their most dangerous for most of the match, was headed into the penalty area by James and with a spectacular overhead kick Kiely scored his 18th goal of the season.

This heralded a frantic last 10 minutes of non-stop action. Harlow forced three corners in quick succession and then a blockbuster effort from Russell, 25 yards out, was superbly pushed away by Kitson. And in the final seconds a long range shot from Alan Carrington went desperately close to clinching a late victory for Harlow.

As on other occasions this season one felt that if Slough could have just converted some of their chances into goals they may have returned with the three points. However, at the end of the day Laurie Churchill will surely be happy with the point that took Slough to the top for the first time since he took over as manager just over a year ago.