Reardon's Rebels are still flying high

A bizarre own goal by Colin Hull after 16 minutes helped send high-flying Slough to their fourth consecutive Isthmian League, Premier Division success at Wexham Park on Saturday.

It was Hull's tragic mistake which suddenly changed the whole course of the match, because until that moment Bishop's Stortford had put the Rebels under considerable pressure and looked likely to threaten their 100% league record.

Although this was certainly the least impressive of Slough's performances this season, they still did enough to overcome a Stortford side that faded into obscurity once Hull's mistake had put Slough on the road to victory.

With Dave Yerby away on holiday, Francis Araguez came in for his first game this season at left back, while Dylan Evans returned after injury in the substitute role.

Stortford made a lightning start and soon had a nervous looking Slough defence under considerable pressure. And within four minutes the Hertfordshire side had the ball in the net, but Dave Worrell's far post header was ruled out following a foul on Frank Parsons by Joe Simmonds.

After nine minutes a moment's indecision by Eric Young let Simmonds free on the left. His low cross to the far post eluded Eddie Hutchinson, but from a clear scoring position Worrell hesitated fatally and his eventual effort was deflected for a corner by the advancing Parsons.

At this stage Slough looked a very disjointed outfit as they struggled to find any rhythm or pattern to their play.

Then with 16 minutes gone, came Hull's fatal mistake. Under no real pressure, Hull sent a long back pass out of the reach of Alec Walsh, and the Stortford goalkeeper could only watch in horror as the ball rolled into the empty net.

Slough quickly took advantage of this piece of good fortune, and within 10 minutes were further ahead. Hutchinson sent a superb cross-field ball to Alan Paris wide on the right. His cross to the far post was headed back by Rowan Dodds, and from little more than 10 yards out the unmarked Vaughan Powell neatly headed home his first goal for the club.

After this period of excitement the game suddenly died a death, as the standard of football dropped alarmingly and both sides made numerous silly mistakes. The second half produced little action of note, although it was Slough who always looked the more inventive side.

Despite forcing a string of corners, the Rebels could not add to their lead, as the game became more scrappy and at times very physical. Stortford's Ian Smith was booked for dissent and Parsons also had his name taken for a foul on Terry Sullivan.

In the closing minutes, Dodds headed wide when in a good position, following a Keith White cross from the left. This will certainly not be remembered as one of Slough's greatest performances, but despite struggling to find their true touch throughout, they still showed the commitment and drive that is essential if any side are to be successful.