Howard's early goal is just not enough

Not even the boost of a tenth minute Howard Kennedy goal could lift Slough Town to their first Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division home victory this year on Saturday.

So the Rebels season of fluctuating fortunes continues and their failure to pick up three points from this match must surely signal the end of any real hopes of a major say in the title outcome.

Slough certainly had enough possession to have won this game but all too often some good approach play lost its impetus with poor final passes.

This was particularly the case in the second half when Slough forced ten corners but on each occasion they lacked the imagination and forcefulness to really test the Stortford defence. However one pleasing aspect was the performance of the defence.

After the nightmares of the Dulwich match they looked a much tighter combination with Steve Norman and Peter Skerritt forming a solid central partnership.

Keith White was out suspended and Devon Petty returned in midfield and within ten minutes Slough had got off to a flying start. From Petty's cross Rowan Dodds was quite clearly held down by Colin Hull.

Referee Butland first awarded a free kick outside the penalty area then after looking across to his linesman, gave Slough a spot kick - clearly the right decision.

Kennedy duly stepped up and sent John Jacobs the wrong way and the Rebels were ahead. With Kennedy and Dylan Evans both an authorative force in midfield and Dodds his usual hard working and skilful self up front, Slough looked well set. But on regular occasions promising moves were thwarted by Slough's inabilities to find their men with the final pass.

Gary Attrell went close with one effort but then after a sparkling run wasted another with a poor cross when Dodds and Tony Gibson were both in good positions. Stortford struck back with some controlled football and young Stuart Walton had to twice make extremely brave saves from Benn Robb and Ray Wickenden.

Then right on half time Stortford scored a delightful equaliser. Steve Armsby passed to Tony Mercer and his superb ball split the Slough defence down the right and Philip Hopkens ran on to coolly score.

Attrell went close for Slough at the start of the second half, but then Stortford started to dictate affairs being allowed an alarming amount of room in midfield. Billy Jennings somehow fired wide from six yards; Mercer saw a great shot race into the side netting and then Walton saved well from the same player.

The game ended with a flourish as both sides went desperately close to settling the issue. Robb should really have scored for Stortford as a combination of Walton and Kennedy finally foiled him and then immediately at the end Tony Gibson pondered just too long after he had created a fine opening for himself.

Slough still had another chance to snatch the points in the 91st minute when Attrell's cross found the unmarked Francis Araguez. But the full-backs shot from some 15 yards rose high over the bar, and at the end of the day a draw was probably the fairest result.