Back on the victory trail

At long last everything came right for Slough Town at Finchampstead Road on Saturday as they recorded their first Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division win since November 9, and gained quick revenge for their home defeat against Wokingham some five days earlier.

It was just the start to the New Year that the Rebels required after a depressing run of performances that has seen their championship hopes start to fade.

Although this was certainly not Slough at their best it was a vast improvement on some of their recent displays, and more importantly at long last they turned their domination into goals, which should give the team some much needed confidence for the series of testing matches they face in the next month.

And the unlikely goal-scoring heroes of this win were young full back Francis Araguez and substitute Tony Webster, with his first ever senior goal for the club.

The vital goals came at a time when once again it looked as though all Slough's efforts would go unrewarded, as they had already squandered a number of golden opportunities to take the lead.

However, after 71 minutes they struck gold when the diminutive Araguez picked up the ball inside the Wokingham half, took several paces forward, and then from some 30 yards let fly with a scorching shot which beat Doug Hatcher and flew into the top right hand corner of the net.

This was just the boost the Rebels required and 10 minutes later they added a second goal with a superbly contrived move. Vaughan Powell sent Keith White away on the left and his well struck cross was met by substitute Webster, who rifled the ball past Hatcher.

In the dying minutes Tony Doherty saw a shot blocked on the line, while sandwiched between the two goals was a marvellous, and vital, save from Kevin Mitchell to foil the lively Jimmy Sweetzer.

Throughout the Rebels always looked the better side and former Windsor and Eton star Kevin Hill, made a big impression in midfield on his debut having just returned from a spell working abroad.

It was the tigerish midfield play of Powell, Hill and Dave Russell that immediately caught the eye as Slough soon had the Wokingham defence under pressure.

However, the Rebels recent goalscoring problems still haunted them as Dylan Evans, Russell and White all wasted fine opportunities from close range. Meanwhile the Slough defence, in which Joe Moloney was a commanding force, contained the Wokingham attack well, although it took a fine interception from Eddie Hutchinson to foil Sweetzer after a Terry Brown cross.

After the interval both sides had their chances with Sweetzer and Brown missing when well placed for Wokingham, while Evans twice went desperately close and Russell having rounded the advancing Hatcher then saw the ball run away from him and the chance disappear.

But in the end it all came right for Slough as the goals finally came, and it was no more than the side's endeavour and total commitment deserved.