Tooting topple Slough from the top

SLOUGH Town's seven week reign as Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division leaders was halted at Sandy Lane on Saturday, when they went down to a defeat they really only have themselves to blame for.

This was the Rebels' fourth league defeat this season. While the Rebels were slipping to their first league defeat in 10 matches, Wycombe Wanderers were crushing Dulwich Hamlet 4-1 to move a point clear at the top of the table.

To add to Slough's misery they had Micky Kiely, Richard Teale and Dave Yerby all booked in an explosive second-half which saw Tooting's Herbie Smith sent off after 72 minutes.

Although the Rebels fell behind to a third-minute goal, they were quickly back into their stride and dominated virtually the remainder of the match.

However, apart from Keith White's fine equalising goal after 22 minutes, Slough rarely looked capable of penetrating an exceptionally shaky Tooting defence - and constantly their attractive approach work broke down with disappointing end results. Consequently the Rebels were made to pay for not turning their domination into goals. And from their only clear cut chances Tooting scored twice once again emphasising that at the end of the day it is goals that win matches.

Slough's hopes suffered a blow as early as Thursday evening when Eric Young cut an eye in training and was ruled out of the match. However, there can be no complaints about his deputy Steve Norman, who had an outstanding match in the heart of the defence. Dave Yerby returned to the side at right back and manager Laurie Churchill, named Rowan Dodds as substitute.

The game was only three minutes old when Tooting went ahead. A long throw on the right from Ray Knowles caused confusion in the Slough defence and Bob Pit away finally tucked the ball home from close range. But Slough soon recovered their composure and settled down to consistently trouble the home side’s defence, especially with a number of penetrating high balls into the Tooting penalty area which seemed to throw their defence into total confusion.

And it was from one of these that Slough drew level after 22 minutes. Pat Morrissey pumped a long free kick into the heart of the Tooting penalty area and Eggie James knocked the ball on for White to crisply hook it into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

However directly after this goal Barry Friend limped off - having been injured in the opening minutes - to be replaced by Dodds.

And with White being forced to take up a much deeper role the Rebels seemed to lose some of their punch up front for the remainder of the match.

Slough still looked the better side after the interval and a cross from Micky O'Sullivan almost ended with Kiely scoring after a tremendous scramble on the Tooting goal-line.

And then from their first direct attack of the half, Tooting scored what proved to be the winning goal after 62 minutes. The ball broke to Trevor Ford on the right and he hit a rasping curling shot from just outside the penalty area. Teale did well to push the goalbound shot away but Dave Busby was on hand to push the ball into an empty net.

After Kiely had been booked for dangerous play, Tooting were reduced to 10 men four minutes later when Smith, who recently re joined the club from Luton Town, was sent off when he fouled John Beyer off the ball. Having already booked Smith in the first half for dissent the referee, Mr G. Claridge had no option but to dismiss him.

Minutes later O'Sullivan appeared to be upended in the penalty area but Mr Claridge refused Slough's strong appeals for a penalty.

In a frantic last 15 minutes Yerby was booked for retaliation after an incident with Busby, and Teale's name also went into the referee's notebook when he handled outside his area after the dangerous Busby had broken clear.

Even in the dying seconds the Rebels had a chance to at least salvage a point when a cross from Vic Akers found Dodds. But from about five yards, and with only goalkeeper Nicky O'Sullivan to beat, the Slough substitute missed a golden opportunity and weakly shot wide.