Croydon
2
Flemmington (18), Paul (80)
Slough Town
2
Russell (12), Dodds (87)
League
Attendance: 120
Slough needed an equaliser three minutes from time on Saturday to salvage a point from a game they should have won.
Once again they were let down by their finishing, which robbed them of second place in the Servowarm Isthmian League Premier Division behind Harrow.
They took a fortunate lead in the 12th minute at Croydon, but failed to take full advantage and needed Rowan Dodds' 11th goal of the season to save them.
"We missed about six easy chances " complained manager Terry Reardon. "I am disappointed that we seem to be missing them at the moment. If we had taken our chances we would have won comfortably. It was absurd that we were 2-1 down after so many opportunities."
The gods seemed to be on Slough's side in the 12th minute when Croydon defender Stuart Hemsley tried an ambitious overhead kick close to goal and the ball rebounded into the net off Dave Russell.
But Slough';s lead was shortlived. Just six minutes later Tony Paul's long cross field ball found Ian Simpson, whose touch put Mark Flemmington in the clear. His shot went straight at Stuart Walton, but the young 'keeper let it slip through his arms into the net.
To his credit Walton made amends late in the half, touching away a Simpson shot at the post after another flowing move by Croydon.
Slough's back four, with Peter Skerritt showing complete command in the area, tightened in the second half, giving Croydon problems.
In one good spell Keith White missed one chance and Dylan Evans was only foiled by Croydon 'keeper Steve Dungay's agility from point blank range. He saved again, but did not know much about it, when Rowan Dodds' fierce drive from close in caught him in the face and laid him out.
However Slough could not sustain the pressure and Paul turned the tide in the 80th minute with a cracking 35 yard drive that gave Walton no chance.
Croydon should really have gone on to win when John Ward missed two glorious chances. But Slough made one final fling and got their reward in the 87th minute when Dodds headed in from Evans' cross.
Once again they were let down by their finishing, which robbed them of second place in the Servowarm Isthmian League Premier Division behind Harrow.
They took a fortunate lead in the 12th minute at Croydon, but failed to take full advantage and needed Rowan Dodds' 11th goal of the season to save them.
"We missed about six easy chances " complained manager Terry Reardon. "I am disappointed that we seem to be missing them at the moment. If we had taken our chances we would have won comfortably. It was absurd that we were 2-1 down after so many opportunities."
The gods seemed to be on Slough's side in the 12th minute when Croydon defender Stuart Hemsley tried an ambitious overhead kick close to goal and the ball rebounded into the net off Dave Russell.
But Slough';s lead was shortlived. Just six minutes later Tony Paul's long cross field ball found Ian Simpson, whose touch put Mark Flemmington in the clear. His shot went straight at Stuart Walton, but the young 'keeper let it slip through his arms into the net.
To his credit Walton made amends late in the half, touching away a Simpson shot at the post after another flowing move by Croydon.
Slough's back four, with Peter Skerritt showing complete command in the area, tightened in the second half, giving Croydon problems.
In one good spell Keith White missed one chance and Dylan Evans was only foiled by Croydon 'keeper Steve Dungay's agility from point blank range. He saved again, but did not know much about it, when Rowan Dodds' fierce drive from close in caught him in the face and laid him out.
However Slough could not sustain the pressure and Paul turned the tide in the 80th minute with a cracking 35 yard drive that gave Walton no chance.
Croydon should really have gone on to win when John Ward missed two glorious chances. But Slough made one final fling and got their reward in the 87th minute when Dodds headed in from Evans' cross.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Stuart Walton
- 2 Francis Araguez
- 3 Eddie Hutchinson
- 4 Steve Norman
- 5 Peter Skerritt
- 6 Dylan Evans
- 7 Devon Petty
- 8 Keith White
- 9 Rowan Dodds
- 10 Howard Kennedy
- 11 Dave Russell