Slough pave title way for Wycombe

Despite the continual downpour at Wexham Park on Tuesday, over a thousand local fans braved the weather and witnessed an exciting match on an impossible surface that ended with Wycombe winning by the odd goal of five and almost certainly clinching the Premier Division championship.

Frank Parsons, who had sustained an injury on the Saturday, was still unfit, and with Bob Randall not available, Dave Yerby had to take the 'keepers jersey, while Dave Smith was called upon to play his first game for the Rebels to give them an unorthodox line up.

Wycombe were able to field a recognised team, and from the time that the two sides lined up, it was obvious that things would be loaded in Wycombe's favour.

Slough obviously didn't quite see things that way, and showed guts and determination from the start. Gary Attrell almost found a way through in the second minute, and then three minutes later Dylan Evans was just wide when he collected a poor back pass and shot a little hastily past the far post.

Wycombe were not to be denied, Ken Wilson shooting over the bar, while Dave Yerby made a good save from Steve Toll.

Another piece of good work by Wilson set Howard Kennedy up with an excellent chance, but the Wycombe midfield man missed from close in.

Back on the attack came Slough and with the Wycombe defence slithering about in disarray, Smith and Attrell saw their shots cannon off fallen bodies to safety. Eventually Wycombe took the lead, following a free kick outside the penalty area after 25 minutes.. Bob Dell drove the ball hard through the sticky goalmouth, Dave Yerby saved at full stretch, couldn't hang on to it, and Steve Perrin swooped to bang the ball into the net.

Almost immediately Steve Long cut through the home ranks only to shoot wide, and minutes later Yerby made a magnificent save from the same player.

This stung Slough into action, and Francis Araguez, making a determined run, fired in a tremendous shot that Chris Way just managed to hold.

Another effort from Evans struck a defender and stuck in the mud, and then just before the interval Slough were awarded a penalty for a push in the goalmouth.

Rowan Dodds, using his new, long run up, beat Way with ease, and this unbelievable Slough side were level.

With the rain still pelting down, half-time should have been the cue to abandon the match for another day. The water lying all over the pitch made what had been a splendid surface the previous day a nightmare for skilful players but the referee had no doubts about continuing, which was a pity for Slough.

Within four minutes, Wycombe scored a curious goal when Steve Perrin appeared to push a Slough defender out of his way, before banging the ball into the net.

As if this were not bad enough, Araguez sustained an injury that forced him to leave the field, Hill taking his place.

However, the Rebels shrugged off their misfortunes, and on the hour equalised when Joe Moloney, jumping well, headed Eddie Hutchinson's corner past Way.

Back on level terms, the struggle continued, but two minutes later Anton Vircavs, standing unmarked, headed the ball against the underside of the crossbar and past Yerby for what proved to be the winning goal.

As the game reached the final stages both sides, understandably, began to flag. Slough survived a goalmouth scramble, Yerby saved well from Wilson, while for Slough Rowan Dodds, and particularly Gary Attrell, showed some spirited attacking skills.

In fact, Attrell twice completely destroyed the Wycombe right with terrific pace that was too much for any of his colleagues to equal, and as a result found himself with no-one to pass to.

The final whistle sounded to mark the end of an heroic battle from a below - strength Slough side, and left many spectators with the impression that a full side would have taken the points in this local derby.