Kiely Is The Hero

Slough Town can feel well pleased with the draw they achieved at a wet and muddy George Wilson Stadium on Tuesday evening, and they must now start favourites to reach their first ever Hitachi Cup final when they meet Bishop Stortford again in the second leg of this semi-final tie at Wexham Park on Tuesday evening.

Once again the Rebels' hero was leading goalscorer Micky Kiely, who celebrated his return from a 14-day suspension with the vital equalising goal after 73 minutes.

However, Slough can expect another tough battle at Wexham Park in the second leg, because in Stortford they met one of the best sides they have played this season.

And in forward Mike Mitchell they had the outstanding player on the pitch, and one of the most exciting prospects seen in non-league football this season.

He continually tormented the Rebels' defence, especially in the first half, and came close to helping a highly determined and disciplined Stortford side from establishing a lead in this first leg match.

Although Stortford may play in a division lower than the Rebels, they showed just why they have reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy pitch which by the end was a sea of liquid mud.

Micky O'Sullivan and Kiely both returned from suspension at the expense of Dave Yerby and Rowan Dodds from the side which beat Aylesbury United on Saturday.

Slough started brightly and Stortford's goalkeeper Terry Moore did well to foil Kiely in the opening 10 minutes.

However, the home side quickly settled into their rhythm and their tactics of continually building attacks from both flanks gave the Rebels' defence numerous anxious moments.

But it was the Rebels who went closest to scoring when a cross from Dave Russell found Eric Young, and his header struck the top of the crossbar.

Then after 27 minutes Slough Town 1 Stortford took the lead with a superbly worked goal. A freekick from just outside the Rebels' penalty area was played to the feet of lan Smith, and he finally managed to turn the ball square to Richie Bradford who hit a fine rising shot into the roof of the net.

Minutes later Slough had a lucky escape when a shot from Terry Sullivan was deflected onto the post after he had cut in from the left with a searching run.

The silky skills and touches of Mitchell continued to trouble Slough, whose best chance of the half fell to Kiely after 44 minutes.

A storming run out of defence by Steve Norman found Keith White and he put Kiely through. But although his shot beat Moore it was not struck hard enough and was cleared.

Slough almost started the second half with just the boost they required. Eggie James intelligently took a free-kick from the half-way line and Kiely forced his way through only to see his final effort miss the goal by inches with Moore beaten.

The turning point for Slough appeared to come after 58 minutes when James limped off to be replaced by Terry Reardon.

Taking up a midfield role the Rebels’ "veteran" helped Slough take control of the middle of the field, stifling the skills of Stortford and stopping the searching sweeping passes to both flanks which had earlier caused so many problems.

And then with 17 minutes left Slough scored the vital goal. Determined play by Young won a corner on the right which White took and Kiely sent a superb glancing header at the near post past a static Stortford defence.

Mitchell, the outstanding Perhaps it was fitting that player on the pitch, should have the final say, although credit to the way the Rebels' defence handled him after the interval.

But despite some frantic last-ditch efforts from Stortford to regain the lead, Slough held out for a draw which they must be well satisfied with.