Lady Luck Played Big Part In Rebels Third Defeat

Slough Town and Bognor Regis left Wexham Park on Tuesday night baffled as to how neither side had a hat-trick of goals to their credit.

Both teams peppered each other's woodwork, witnessed some remarkable reflex saves, and could only groan at the off-the-line saves as Lady Luck exerted her influences in both goalmouths.

In the end this Servowarm Isthmian League Premier Division fixture was decided on penalties Bognor Regis converted their first half award and Rowan Dodds hung his head in sorrow as Vijay Korgaokar saved his second half effort.

A more exciting start to a game one is unlikely to see at Wexham Park this season as the match began with a flurry of well-executed attacks. The Rebels nearly took first blood twice in the opening minute after Dave Russell almost latched onto the rebound of a fine snap shot from Howard Kennedy which was well saved by the Bognor keeper. The resulting corner was curled in by Eddie Hutchinson and David O'Flaherty rose unchallenged just outside the six yard box, heading well but against the crossbar.

Bognor retaliated immediately and from a 3rd minute corner the ball arrived at the feet of Toby Anderton whose shot was reflex saved by Peter Rackley, Anderton slammed back the rebound amazingly, hitting the bar, and from a flurry of forwards the rebound was again returned with Slough defender Francis Araguez handling it around the post.

The resulting penalty was taken by Biz Russell, sending Rackley the wrong way, to give his side an early lead which was almost increased a minute later when a Joe Moloney clearance rebounded off his own crossbar.

Slough’s Rowan Dodds was in the thick of the action, hitting the bar in the 6th minute, and then as he was goalward-bound, playing the roughed up by the Bognor advantage after being keeper and defender, only to be unfairly called back to take a freekick by a late referee decision.

The Rebels were looking a different team compared with their two previous games, although they were still slower and not as sharp as their south coast opponents.

Bognor were very quick on the attack, especially down the left where winger Geoff Cooper was getting past Araguez time and time again. Bognor continually forced the Rebels to commit themselves, allowing their forwards to outflank the overworked Slough defence although Hutchinson, O'Flaherty and Moloney were all in fine form.

The second half was not as flowing or hectic as the first although there was again an attacking start, with Devon Petty, who was all over the field playing as well as ever, and Dodds coming close with headers.

Dave Alexander kept the Rebels in the hunt, clearing off the line in the 11th minute and the resulting boot upfield was met by Dodds who swerved round two players only to be brought down in the box by Paul Pullen.

The Rebels supporters found their jubilation short-lived as Korgaokar, who has been making a habit of penalty saves this season, dived full-length to his left to parry Dodds' spot kick.

As Slough's frustration grew they were continually caught in the well-rehearsed Bognor offside trap but were still able to get in some good efforts to keep their heads up. Bognor kept cool, playing the ball around well, and were always the better side, but the Rebels put everything into their game, always giving their fans hope that they could snatch an equaliser. But it was not to be, and the Rebels slid further down the table with their third successive defeat, leaving manager Terry Reardon a little apprehensive about Saturday's FA Cup qualifier.