Poor away form continues

A tragic blunder by Kevin Mitchell midway through the second half of this Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division match at Granleigh Road on Saturday cost Slough a share of the spoils against last year's champions.

With the Slough supporters outnumbering the home fans by at least two to one there was plenty of vocal encouragement to lift the Wexham Park contingent from their depression following the FA Cup defeat-but within five minutes poor defensive work had given Leytonstone just the start they needed.

Francis Araguez, who had a nightmare match, screwed a clearance into the heart of his own defence, and a corner was conceded on the left. From the flag kick Mitchell froze on the goal-line, and with other defenders standing off John Borland was given a free header that he simply could not miss.

Mitchell redeemed himself afterwards saving from Paul Powell, but on the whole it was mainly one-way traffic with the champions wasting several clear openings.

Slough did provide a few fleeting glimpses of the football that had enlivened Wexham Park during the golden days of autumn, but they failed to really trouble Dave Mallett in the home goal.

When they equalised it came as a considerable surprise. With 37 minutes gone a quick flick from Dylan Evans sent Gary Attrell clear into the penalty area, and Mallett challenging brought the young Slough striker down in full flight. A penalty it had to be, and Eddie Hutchinson taking the responsibility showed just how simple it can be to score from the spot to register his first goal for the club.

During the second half, playing into a stiff breeze Slough began to take the game to the home side with Dave Russell looking particularly good. A superb centre from Russell landed the ball in front of Rowan Dodds with an open goal before him, but somehow the Slough top scorer failed to react to the chance.

Another run by Russell saw him blatantly tripped by Keith Hayzledean who received the only booking of the match. At the other end the Rebels conceded a silly free kick with Mitchell just saving Hayzledean's shot and then just at the vital time with Slough looking set to stave off any likelihood of defeat tragedy struck.

Mitchell, taking a goal kick, sent the ball straight to Paul Powell, standing a couple of yards outside the area. The Leytonstone player unable to believe his luck, and despite a desperate challenge from Dave Yerby quickly forged his way through, and his mis-kicked shot bounced embarrassingly under the diving body of the Slough 'keeper.

For the remainder of the match it was largely the champions who looked the side more likely to score because Slough could not put a dangerous shot on target.

Paul Powell, Micky Dingwell and Borland, the outstanding player on view, all came close to stretching the East Londoners lead, and Mitchell made a superb reaction save from Borland following a free kick.

Attrell put in his customary late shot from the wing, but on this occasion it swerved comfortably clear of the far post, and it was Martin McCanya who almost had the last word for Leytonstone as he shot wide with the final kick of the game.

The Rebels have not won away since October 19, and during a strange fixture list, which has given them only three home league matches in the last 13 games, their championship hopes have suffered a setback. However, Slough's home league record is second to none and so there is still a more than realistic chance of honours if Terry Reardon can bring some consistency back to his side.