Rebels win Hitachi Cup

PAT Morrissey will not forget this Hitachi Cup final in a hurry.

The Rebels' midfield star scored one of the most remarkable hat-tricks of his career - with all three goals coming from the penalty spot - as Slough Town continued their glorious season by lifting the cup at Hayes on Monday afternoon.

Despite the aid of the three penalties the Rebels fully deserved this latest success and it was only in the latter stages, after they had established a three goal cushion, that Walthamstow threatened Slough's grip on their second major trophy in the space of two weeks.

With Johnny Bishop cup tied, skipper Micky O'Sullivan returned to the side in midfield and Keith White played a more forward role with Eggie James substitute.

And if one had to pick a man of the match from another fine team performance then it would be White. He scored the all important first goal and virtually ran himself into the ground with a tireless display. Since joining the club from Burnham during the close season White has seemed to improve with every match he has played, and his performances have been a major part of Slough's success this season.

The match started at a cracking pace and within the opening four minutes Micky Kiely came close on three different occasions to heading Slough ahead. There was a scare at the other end with 15 minutes gone when a cross from the right eluded John Beyer and looked to have presented the unmarked Alan Hunter with a good chance. But he reacted too slowly and finally shot well wide of the target.

With Dave Russell again in sparkling form on the right Slough gradually got on top and it was from a move down the right that the Rebels went ahead.

Russell worked well before passing to Morrissey, who in turn sent the overlapping Dave Yerby through. He took the ball to the line before crossing perfectly for White, at the near post, to send a lovely glancing header past Alan Jarrett.

Nine minutes later Slough scored their second goal. A superb ball from O'Sullivan split the Walthamstow defence open and Russell broke for goal. As he rounded the last remaining defender, Dave Silman, he was crudely brought down and the referee - Mr Tony Ward of Southgate - had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Morrissey stepped up and scored the first of what was to be a remarkable hat-trick of penalties.

Within three minutes of the second half starting, Morrissey again found himself with just Jarrett to beat from the penalty spot. Kiely's cross from the right ended in White being pushed by Ray Jarman and again Mr Ward pointed to the spot. This time Morrissey put his kick in the opposite corner to his first effort - again giving Jarrett no chance.

By now the Rebels were in full command and played some delightful football and Jarrett had to move smartly to foil a Vic Akers shot.

However a moment’s lack of concentration enabled Walthamstow to reduce the deficit after 67 minutes. A good move down the left ended with Hunter crossing and after John Harrison had knocked the ball wide of Richard Teale, substitute Bobby Tappin applied the finishing touches.

Three minutes later Barry Friend limped off, after minutes earlier receiving a bad knock on the right ankle, to be replaced by James. And then three minutes later Slough were awarded their third penalty. A free kick from Morrissey, on the left touchline, was pumped to the far post and as James went up for the ball it was knocked away by the hand of a Walthamstow defender.

Morrissey coolly stepped up and placed the kick in the right hand corner to complete a remarkable hat trick and virtually clinch the cup for Slough.

With 11 minutes left a free kick from the right finally broke to Barry Walder and he hit a superb shot past Teale to give Walthamstow some hope in the last few minutes.

And it took a superb save from Teale to foil Tappin four minutes later. But at the end Slough were worthy winners, and Micky O'Sullivan jubilantly lifted the Hitachi Cup to the delight of many Slough supporters in the 1,000 plus crowd, who had given great vocal backing to their side throughout.

Mr Ward booked three players during the match - Walthamstow's Silman and Jarman along with O'Sullivan.

IN addition to receiving the Hitachi Cup, Slough Town also got more than £1,000 from the sponsors Hitachi Limited, and the players each received a radio for their cup winning efforts. After the match Pat Morrissey was presented with the match ball in recognition of his hat trick of penalties.