Joe Gives Rebels First Home Win Since August In League

A 70th minute goal from defender Joe Moloney - his fourth of the season - gave Slough Town their first Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division victory at Wexham Park since August 22 on Saturday at the expense of Leytonstone/Ilford.

And this goal was a reward for the tremendous endeavour and commitment which the Rebels showed in the match, and brought Terry Reardon his first win since he took over as manager last week.

The vital breakthrough for Slough, against a well organised Leytonstone side, came when Moloney crash ed the ball home into the roof of the net from close range after a Barry Friend corner had found its way to the giant defender via an aerial challenge by Roy Butler.

Minutes later the Rebels had a great chance to increase their lead and make the three points safe, but from six yards Butler scooped the ball over the crossbar with the goal virtually at his mercy.

After the match Reardon said: "I thought it was a gutsy performance from the team - something to start with - and I was particularly pleased with the side's high work rate."

Reardon admitted that the kind of football the Rebels produced in this match was nowhere near the standard he would like" but was clearly delighted to have got a win under his belt in this his first home match as manager of the side.

Conditions from the start were far from ideal with the pitch particularly heavy down the middle and made worse as the match progressed by almost continuous heavy rain.

However, Slough quickly got into their stride and showing tremendous enthusiasm for the task in defence with a string of hand tested the Leytonstone testing crosses from both flanks.

But as on previous occasions this season the Rebels always lacked the finishing touch in front of goal and all too often promising attacks fizzled out once they reached the Leytonstone danger area.

A powerful header from Butler after 29 minutes was only saved at the second attempt by Dick, Mallett while Eggie James went close just before the interval when he cut through the Leytonstone defence and saw his shot saved by the outstretched boot of Mallett.

However, generally despite dominating most of the half, Slough rarely looked like getting the vital breakthrough and at the other end always had to be wary of Leytonstone on the break, especially the lively Paul Powel.

But throughout the match most of the visitors' attacks fell foul of Slough's offside trap which was well marshalled by the impressive Steve Hardwick, and on at least a few occasions Leytonstone were caught out by the trap giving the linesman a busy afternoon's work.

Reardon said afterwards that he had not planned for the defence to play the offside trap, and although on this occasion it proved highly profitable if the Rebels continue this trend it could run into trouble against a more prolific strike force than Leytonstone presented.

During the second half Slough continued to play with great drive and endeavour with Dave Russell, later substituted for Rowan Dodds, twice going close with headers after he had ghosted in behind the defence.

Slough’s only real scare came when Moloney got caught in possession on the left touchline by Micky Dingwell but after the Leytonstone striker had then broken for goal and beaten the covering Hardwick he saw his effort pushed away by Frank Parsons and cleared by Keith White. But Moloney made up for this mistake when he scored the vital goal later in the half and put the Rebels back on the winning trail again at Wexham Park in the league.