Perfect Timing

“This was our worst display this season but all that matters is we are through to the next round," was Slough Town manager Howard Kennedy's verdict of this FA Cup clash at Merstham on Saturday.

And the Rebels boss couldn't have summed up the first qualifying round clash at Combined Counties League outfit Merstham better.

Without ever looking truly convincing Slough successfully came through the type of match which has caused many a top non-league side great embarrassment.

For 60 minutes tiny Merstham rattled the Rebels although Steve Norman's seventh minute goal had given Slough the kind of breathing space they required.

But in the final 30 minutes Slough's class did finally shine through and they finished off Merstham with three well worked goals, Micky Kiely grabbing two of them.

"This was a typical FA Cup game,” said Kennedy after the match. He continued: "Merstham performed as well as they could do and we looked awful. They certainly rose to the occasion and it was the worst we have played all season. However we won 4-0 and all that matters is we are through to the next round. “

Kennedy added: "Fortunately we scored all our goals at the right time. It was also nice to see so many Slough Town supporters making the journey and once again they easily outnumbered the home support. “

Merstham looked a lively outfit from the start and within two minutes Robert Wadey found himself clean through but then shot over the bar.

However, on seven minutes Slough went ahead. Keith White floated over a free-kick from the right and Norman got into a perfect position behind the Merstham defence to powerfully head home.

This was just the start Slough needed to take some of the pressure off them but they were unable to build on this and their play became increasingly ragged against a totally committed home side.

Giant Merstham defender Mickey Knight caused several scares from set pieces while winger Tyrone Liston proved a real handful for young Paul Gardam.

Landeg fired in several testing shots but little was seen in the way of creative ideas from Slough although right on half-time Rowan Dodds went close. Merstham continued to win the midfield battle after the interval and it took a superb tackle from Norman to stop Ritchie Simpson in his tracks before Slough finally started to pressurise a now tiring home side.

After 61 minutes the Rebels wiped away any possibility of a giant killing act by Merstham when Kenny Wilson's throw was flicked on by Dodds and Kiely came tearing in to bravely send a diving header past Chris Pullen.

Three minutes later Kiely had a chance to deal Merstham a double blow but he mis-hit his shot from close range. Jimmy Jacobs' 20-yard shot then put Pullen in great trouble before a 79 minutes goal number three arrived.

Wilson’s corner on the left was touched on by White at the near post and Kiely emerged to scramble the ball home. Dodds then completed the scoring after 86 minutes when Jeff Bateman's superb through ball put the Slough striker clear and he ran on to beat Pullen with a carefully placed shot.

So the Rebels are off on the FA Cup trail and in the second qualifying round face a trip to Vauxhall-Opel League, Division Two South side Woking, managed by former Windsor and Eton boss Geoff Chapple. Woking beat Ringmer 3-1 on Saturday.