Laurie's first final

A DRAMATIC last minute goal direct from a Pat Morrissey corner helped continue Slough Town's remarkable run of success this season under Laurie Churchill as they reached the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final at a windswept Wexham Park on Saturday.

The Rebels, in their first county Cup final for four seasons, will now meet holders Milton Keynes City on Easter Monday.

It was a match almost entirely dominated by the wind, and consequently both sides’ attempts to play constructive football were stifled by the conditions and they were unable to produce the kind of play they are capable of. However Churchill's depleted side battled bravely for the full 90 minutes, and at the end were just about worth their place in the final against an Aylesbury team currently enjoying one of their best ever seasons.

With Micky Kiely and Micky O'Sullivan suspended and Steve Hardwick and Jonny Bishop both cup tied, the Rebels were further depleted when injury ruled Barry Friend out. But Rowan Dodds, called in from the reserves, gave his best performance to date for the first team up front, and capped it with a fine goal.

With a gale force wind sweeping across the ground it was obvious that the game would develop into a match of two halves. And for the first 45 minutes Aylesbury used their advantage to great purpose, causing the Slough defence a series of headaches, and also creating several chances with some decisive moves which split the Rebels defence wide open.

After eight minutes the ever dangerous Gary Harthill brought out a superb save from Richard Teale at the base of the post after he had let fly from 25 yards. And then eight minutes later only a fine goal-line clearance from Dave Yerby prevented Aylesbury from taking the lead.

An attempted pass across the face of his own goal by John Beyer was intercepted by Harthill, and he sent Billy Holmes through. He placed his shot past Teale, but Yerby desperately slid in to clear the ball off the line. While at the other end Aylesbury also just escaped when Peter Mead headed off the line after a cross from Dave Russell was headed on by Eggie James.

Harthill had already caused the Slough defence numerous problems before he created Aylesbury's goal in the 30th minute. A fine cross from the left sailed over Vic Akers head at the far post and the unmarked Dave Parratt placed a well directed header home just inside the base of the post.

During this period the Slough defence were constantly being caught out by the long kicks of goalkeeper Keith Baker, while the Rebels midfield appeared to be playing too far forward and allowed Aylesbury the time to dictate much of the game.

However in the second half we saw a completely different picture as Slough took control with Pat Morrissey and Steve Norman giving sterling performances in the middle of the park.

Twice the strong and determined running of Dodds almost resulted in fine opportunist goals, before he did score after 60 minutes. Russell crossed into the heart of the Aylesbury penalty area and after a shot from Eric Young was blocked the ball flew to Dodds who crashed it into the roof of the net from close range. This was just the boost Slough needed for an all out assault on the Aylesbury goal.

However, the Rebels' defence could never afford to relax against the lively Aylesbury forwards and twice the Ducks went close to regaining the lead. A superb pass from Andy Docherty saw Parratt resist the challenge of Young before firing right across the face of the goal, and then a 30 yard effort from Dave Jones was pushed over the bar by Teale.

Just when everyone was settling down for a period of extra-time, Slough dramatically scored the winner with only a matter of seconds remaining of normal time.

A corner was forced on the right, and Morrissey's kick swirled in with the wind towards the near post and 'keeper Baker could only help the ball over the line. So another chapter had been written in the remarkable story of Churchill's success since he took over as manager in January of last year. In difficult conditions for defenders, Young and Yerby, having his best game of the season, were outstanding. And up front Dodds, James and Russell battled away relentlessly for the entire match and with great purpose and effect.