Wrecker Wilson

Kenny Wilson is not renowned as a goal-getter; but he certainly took his magic shooting boots to Sandy Lane on Saturday to get Slough Town off to a flying start in the Vauxhall-Opel League, Premier Division.

Wilson who only netted three goals all last season for Wycombe Wanderers bagged a match winning hat-trick of the highest calibre and, one that even the great Jimmy Greaves would have been proud.

The highly talented right winger had the kind of league debut for Slough that every player must dream about as the Rebels battled back to grab three points that at one stage a cruel blow looked likely to deprive them of.

Two superb individual first half goals from Wilson had put Howard Kennedy's side truly in the driving seat before a controversial incident. that left Kennedy fuming, three minutes after the interval heralded a Tooting comeback.

Slough lost central defender Jeff Bateman with a bad eye injury after an incident with Tooting striker Edgar Awaritefe and, with the Rebels thrown into disarray the home side hit back twice and looked set to spoil Slough's celebrations.

But Wilson had not finished tormenting the Tooting defence and five minutes from time he grabbed the winner and completed his treble, to give Slough a victory they richly deserved. No one was more surprised than Wilson, himself, with his goal scoring feat and consequently he was left to celebrate with a can of beer rather than the traditional champagne.

With Micky Kiely failing a late fitness test new boy from Burnham Dean Woodley had tested David Taylor with a rasping shot.

Awaritefe then wasted a good chance for Tooting before on nine minutes the Rebels had a remarkable escape when from a corner on the right first Steve Norman and then Jimmy Jacobs somehow kept out efforts on the line.

But with Jacobs and Wilson linking well on the right Slough looked good and after 16 minutes they went ahead. From Norman's throw Woodley did well to hold the ball up before putting Wilson through, who made no mistake with a clinical finish past Taylor.

Slough were now buzzing and Dodds went close before goal number two came in the 34th minute, Bateman bravely won the ball on midfield and his header put Wilson clear and, again the swinger showed remarkable coolness as he fired past the advancing Taylor.

Five minutes later Dodds almost made it three when his rasping shot from close range was touched onto the post by Taylor who then saw the ball rebound back into his safe grasp. And, there was still time for Dodds to again go close while right on half time Awaritefe was booked after a scuffle with Norman.

However after 48 minutes came the incident which threatened to take the game out of Slough's control. Bateman who had been outstanding with Tony Knight at the heart of Slough's defence was quite clearly fouled by Awaritefe as he won a ball in the air. And the big Rebels defenders was left with a gaping gash over his right eye while Awaritefe was lucky to escape with only a warning from referee Ludlow.

Kennedy said afterwards-"Jeff didn't want to come off, he said he'd rather get the three points but there was no way he could have continued,'

With Bateman on his way to hospital, Norman switched to the centre of the defence and Andy Harman moved back and suddenly the Rebels lost their composure and became somewhat ragged. Norman was booked for a Alan rugged foul on Rougham and then, after 21 minutes Tooting were back in the game, when Awaritefe netted from close range after Rougham's throw was allowed to find the feet of the dangerous home striker.

And five minutes later Tooting were level and Slough looked rocky. Keeper John Granville was penalised for taking too many steps and Martin Morgan fired the resultant free kick past the Slough wall and into the corner of the net.

Many sides might now have completely folded but Slough showed their true character and fought back again finding their earlier composure and rhythm.

There were just five minutes left when Norman's astute ball beat the Tooting offside trap and once again Wilson scampered clear, kept his head, and coolly pushed the ball past Taylor.