Hitchin Town
1
Mahoney (65)
Slough Town
0
League
Unknown
On this miserable performance at Top Field on Tuesday evening, Slough Town looked anything but Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division favourites, and Hitchin fully deserved victory which was clinched with a 65th minute goal to halt the Rebels title march.
Apart from a brief spell at the start of the match, Hitchin showed far more commitment and urgency than their championship rivals, who produced probably their worst display this season - and at such a vital time.
The midfield trio of Morrissey, O'Sullivan and White were sadly and uncharacteristically out of touch. Too often they were caught in possession and passes continually went astray, and by the end this trend had spread to almost the entire side.
Despite forcing ten corners the Rebels never really tested the Hitchin defence, and goalkeeper Brian Robinson had only to make one real save in the entire match. This came from a diving Dave Russell header after 54 minutes following a neat move involving Morrissey and White on the left.
Despite this lacklustre and generally jaded performance, the Rebels' defence had dealt fairly comfortably with Hitchin's attacks until in the 65th minute when Andy Pearson's through ball split them wide open and the impressive Steve Mahoney was left with time and space to fire past a helpless Richard Teale.
Six minutes before this goal Barry Friend had replaced the injured Jon Bishop. In a desperate effort to salvage at least a point Eric Young moved forward, but it took two super saves from Teale to prevent Hitchin from adding to their lead.
Although the side is now clearly finding the pressure mounting on them in their championship run, that cannot be used as an excuse for this poor display.
And manager Laurie Churchill now has to lift his players' morale ready for the tough home match with Hendon on Saturday.
Apart from a brief spell at the start of the match, Hitchin showed far more commitment and urgency than their championship rivals, who produced probably their worst display this season - and at such a vital time.
The midfield trio of Morrissey, O'Sullivan and White were sadly and uncharacteristically out of touch. Too often they were caught in possession and passes continually went astray, and by the end this trend had spread to almost the entire side.
Despite forcing ten corners the Rebels never really tested the Hitchin defence, and goalkeeper Brian Robinson had only to make one real save in the entire match. This came from a diving Dave Russell header after 54 minutes following a neat move involving Morrissey and White on the left.
Despite this lacklustre and generally jaded performance, the Rebels' defence had dealt fairly comfortably with Hitchin's attacks until in the 65th minute when Andy Pearson's through ball split them wide open and the impressive Steve Mahoney was left with time and space to fire past a helpless Richard Teale.
Six minutes before this goal Barry Friend had replaced the injured Jon Bishop. In a desperate effort to salvage at least a point Eric Young moved forward, but it took two super saves from Teale to prevent Hitchin from adding to their lead.
Although the side is now clearly finding the pressure mounting on them in their championship run, that cannot be used as an excuse for this poor display.
And manager Laurie Churchill now has to lift his players' morale ready for the tough home match with Hendon on Saturday.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Dave Yerby
- 3 Vic Akers
- 4 John Beyer
- 5 Eric Young
- 6 Micky OSullivan
- 7 Dave Russell
- 8 Keith White
- 9 Micky Kiely
- 10 Pat Morrissey
- 11 Johnny Bishop 12
Substitutes
- 12 Barry Friend 11