What Happened To All Those Goals

Last season three clashes between Slough and Dulwich produced an amazing 23 goals but, perhaps predictably, there was no bulging of the Wexham Park nets in Saturday's encounter.

But it wasn't for the want of trying that we did not get another glut of goals from this Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division game.

The only problem on this occasion was that neither side had anyone capable of putting the finishing touches to the variety of chances they created.

There were certainly plenty of opportunities to score in a match which was never dull; but at the end of the day it was Slough who probably breathed a bigger sigh of relief that they did not finish empty handed.

Because in a rousing Dulwich finish it took a breath taking save from Peter Rackley three minutes from time to deny Bobby Armitt giving fifth placed Hamlet the three points. Slough’s form has been topsy turvy to say the least in recent games and it continued that way on Saturday.

At times they put together some quite brilliant moves yet in other stages of the game they looked a very ragged outfit. When Dulwich had the ball in the net after only four minutes it looked as though we were in for another thriller but Colin Coldspring's effort was ruled out for offside.

Slough's general problem throughout was that they could not finish off a number of highly promising moves with the vital accurate strike in front of goal. Colin Tate was unable to find his goalscoring touch of late and consequently the Rebels lacked that vital bit of extra punch and power when it mattered most.

It was Tate who had Slough's best chance of the first half but his far post header from Devon Petty's flighted cross went narrowly wide. Adrian Smith was guilty of missing the target when well-placed and it was a sharp and thoughtful looking Dulwich side who created the better openings.

At times they threatened to cruelly expose the Rebels was defence but, although Bernie Merron twice went close and Desmond Dennis allowed an alarming amount of time and space to dictate the midfield it became apparent that the goals were not going to flow this time out.

Slough’s second half bid to take this game revolved around a classy display from Dave Alexander. Showing great vision and perception in midfield he took over the match and linking superbly with Keith White on the left, must have been disappointed to see the number of chances set up squandered.

Twice Tate failed to find the target when well-placed while Paul Slatter could not find a way past the Dulwich 'keeper Chris Chapman when he burst clear on 53 minutes. White sent over a series of searching balls from the left but there was never a bigger enough threat from the Rebels' strikers to really worry the Dulwich defence.

Dulwich also had their chances as the Slough rearguard continued their habit of unnecessarily making life difficult for themselves. One mistake by Moran Dodds should have been punished by Omele Kelly while Merron twice sliced his final effort wide in the last five minutes as Dulwich mounted a rousing finish to the game.

But it was Rackley's stunning save on 87 minutes which finally condemned this game to a goalless encounter. From some 15 yards out Armitt hit a cracking shot but, from almost point blank range, the alert Rackley somehow beat the effort out and Slough hung on to a match which almost got away from them at the end.

This was a game which threatened to be high in excitement and drama but never really got going. Slough will be disappointed they did not pick up three points because they were there for the taking but, one interesting point was that for the first time in 14 attempts the Rebels did not concede a goal.