Wycombe Get Better Of Rebels Again

Slough Town will not be appearing in the Hitachi Cup Final for the second year running. Arch rivals Wycombe Wanderers made sure of that on Tuesday night when they left the Rebels still seeking their first win in three 'derby' matches this season.

And Wanderers themselves could well be the team to follow Slough as Hitachi winners, for despite another gallant and gritty performance by the Rebels, Wycombe always looked that shade superior, as indeed they had done in two previous visits this season.

Slough fans, though, were treated to another stirring comeback by their team. Three months ago in a league match the Rebels scored twice in the last 12 minutes to earn a draw after trailing 3-1, and it seemed the same would happen on Tuesday when Wycombe cruised into a 3-1 lead, then lost their grip as Slough mounted a courageous revival.

These two teams have not failed to serve up highly entertaining football in the last two seasons, and because of that Tuesday night's attendance — around the 700 mark — was disappointing considering that the Rebels enjoyed an average of 653 last season.

If anything the Rebels now play more attractive football than they did under Laurie Churchill, but it seems that the fickle Wexham Park fans — in common with most, it must be said — want to see their team win first of all, with entertainment a secondary consideration.

Certainly Slough rarely looked like winning on Tuesday, but at the same time they made a full contribution to an exciting cup-tie that did its best to warm the veins on a chilly evening.

Wycombe, who refuse to defend even a two-goal lead, were soon in a commanding position. In the ninth minute Steve Long was sent crashing inside the box as he twisted past Steve Norman, and although Frank Parsons guessed right, he couldn't reach Howard Kennedy's firmly-struck penalty.

In the 22nd minute there was deplorable indecision in the Slough defence as Long's cross from the right was allowed to reach Terry Glynn, who side-footed Wycombe's second from close range.

With Keith White injured early and sub-stituted by Rowan Dodds, Slough were forced to reshuffle but began to claw their way back, and Dodds might have won a penalty when Kennedy tackled clumsily after a splendid reverse pass by Roy Butler had sent the young striker clear.

And in the 47th minute Slough were right back in contention when Dave Russell and Roy Butler linked superbly inside the area for Russell to drive a low shot past Lester after a devastating one-two.

But Slough's defence never inspired confidence and after a couple of close shaves, Wycombe eventually restored their two-goal cushion in the 59th minute when Frank Parsons succeeded only in shovelling a Jim Jacobs volley to the feet of Steve Long, who gratefully accepted.

Slough bounced back seven minutes later with a goal from their first corner of the match. The busy Butler was at the near post to flick on Barry Friend's kick, and Joe Moloney arrived un-marked at the far post to drive home a low shot.

Although Wycombe restricted Slough to just two worthwhile shots in the remaining 25 minutes, goalkeeper Lester had to be at his best to prevent an equaliser.

His full-length save from a curling shot from ex-Wycombe man Dylan Evans was one of the game's highlights, and Lester looked equally impressive when getting safely behind a full-blooded volley from Dave Russell, who had provided the inspiration for most of Slough's best moments.