Rebels Earn Point

Terry Reardon extended his unbeaten record since he took over as Slough Town manager to five matches when the Rebels picked up another deserved point in a hard fought Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division match at in form Woking on Tuesday evening.

As at Croydon on Saturday, Slough could well have returned with the three points as once Keith White had equalised after 59 minutes the Rebels began to dominate the match and had they been a little sharper in front of goal the three points could have been theirs.

However as Reardon said afterwards, "both sides had chances to clinch victory," and in the end the draw was probably a fair reflection of the pattern the match followed.

Reardon was again well pleased with his sides' performance especially the tremendous work-rate they showed throughout—which has been a feature of recent matches.

"I thought we showed a lot of character tonight," said Reardon, who added, "at the moment the lads just will not accept defeat."

With Dave Yerby suspended and Roy Butler still unavailable Reardon was forced to bring back Eric Young into the side, although the giant defender had still not fully recovered from the eye injury received at Leatherhead.

However, to keep him out of the firing line, Young was played in midfield and along with Les Barrett, playing aganst his former club, they both produced fine workmanlike performances.

Up front Rowan Dodds had his best game to date growing in confidence the longer the match went on while Dave Russell and Barry Friend showed some dazzling skills on the flanks and Keith White gave his usual competent performance.

With a number of changes since the sides met in August, Woking made an impressive start and the former Windsor striking partnership of Ross McCulloch and Lance Codugan, who had together scored five times in Woking's last two games, gave the Slough defence a testing time.

After nine minutes McCulloch went close with a great shot on the turn from a difficult angle which went just over while at the other end a fine run and cross by Dodds just eluded Friend at the far post.

But with both sides at times tending to be rather physical the game never really got flowing and there was a constant stream of free kicks awarded. After both teams had been guilty of several bad tackles Woking's John Mitchell was booked for a foul on Russell.

With the Rebels' defence at times getting caught rather square and Kevin Hill allowed a lot of space on the right, Woking always threatened with their quick positive breaks, but with half-time nearing the deadlock looked unlikely to be broken.

However in the dying seconds of the half an under-hit back pass from Steve Hardwick let Roland Terry in and as he rounded Frank Parsons he was brought down by the Rebels' keeper. From the spot kick Mitchell scored—with what proved to be the last action of the half.

It was a critical time for Slough to concede a goal and memories of last season's visit to the Kingfield Stadium when Slough lost 2-0 came flooding back.

After 55 minutes McCulloch went close with a diving header and then four minutes later Slough were level. A cross from the left was only half cleared and from the edge of the area White picked up the ball and placed a superb shot past Kevin Michell into the corner of the net.

Slough now began to get on top with the defence looking composed when under pressure and the midfield generally taking control. Terry missed a fine opportunity for Woking after 69 minutes when he overran the ball after 'breaking through, while a bad back pass by the impressive Tony Martin almost let Russell in.

The best chance to clinch victory fell to Slough five minutes from time. A long clearance by Parsons beat the Woking defence and found White. After he had been foiled by goalkeeper Mitchell and a Woking defender the ball broke to Russell about 10 yards out. But, when a goal looked almost certain his effort was blocked by Colin Smith and diverted for a corner.

During the second half Woking's Maurice Hepworth was booked for ungentlemanly conduct and Young for a foul on John Mitchell.