Brilliant Rebels give Orient mighty fright

SLOUGH Town's mighty cup heroes gave Orient such a fright on Saturday that only a desperate second half revival denied the Rebels history making win.

Howard Kennedy's cup fighters first stunned, then totally shocked, fourth division Orient in a glorious 45 minutes that the Slough players will never forget.

A distant dream turned to real life reality when goals inside the first 26 minutes from Rowan Dodds and Kenny Wilson sent the 1,000 plus Slough fans at Brisbane Road delirious with delight.

Orient were hanging onto their cup hopes by a thread and a Slough win at stage would have come as no shock — because Kennedy's team of part-timers were simply overpowering their professional rivals.

Unfortunately it was the half-time whistle which probably dented Slough's dream in this FA Cup second-round clash more than anything else! Bubbling Slough were stopped in their tracks and Orient were given a vital despite to rethink their tactics and put a stop to their rampaging non-league opponents.

And almost inevitably, second half was a different story. Orient finally got their act together and almost completely spoilt Slough's day as they hit back with two goals in the space of 11 desperate minutes for Kennedy's lads.

But that was the best Orient could do. With every Slough man playing out of his skin, they matched Orient in all departments and there was little to choose in class between the non-league side and the Canon League outfit.

It was more than Slough could have dreamt for when, after Keith White had been obstructed, Derek Harris curled over a free-kick from the left into the Orient box. Dodds brilliantly ghosted in behind the static Orient defence and headed past the startled Peter Wells.

Any doubts Slough had about their ability were washed away as they pushed forward with confidence while at the back Jeff Bateman and Tony Knight were quite outstanding, always there whenever Orient did threaten.

Dodds was relishing the big match occasion and the midfield were simply buzzing. On 16 minutes Wilson put Dodds clear, he rounded Wells hut was driven too wide and his final cross came to nothing.

Orient looked a desperate side and Cornwell fired high over the bar from ten yards and Kevin Godrey headed weakly at Chris Way — amazingly playing his first ever FA Cup match.

Then Slough completely derailed the Orient express and the bright lights of the third round were glaring them in the face. With 26 minutes gone Bateman sent a long ball downfield and under pressure from Wilson, Orient's giant central defender Colin Foster made a complete hash of things. Wilson raced clear, and sent a quick shot speeding past Wells, and the Rebels were on cloud nine.

Slough knew a third goal would now kill Orient off and it almost came. Wells saved well from Wilson and on 36 minutes Micky Kiely turned on a pass from the rampaging Dodds and saw his shot float across the goal and go inches wide.

Right on half-time Orient did threaten but Way was out to hold Kevin Godfrey's fiercely struck shot.

But Frank Clark's halftime roasting did something to Orient and after the interval they showed new drive and commitment. But they still had an early scare when Wells had to race out to beat Dodds to Devon Petty's through pass.

Harris was booked for foul on Godfrey and they after 55 minutes Orient struck back. Andy Sussex's corner was not cleared and the ball rebounded to Cornwell who forced it past Way despite Jimmy Jacob's desperate heroics on the line.

Orient were now back on the rails and Cornwell again went close before they equalised in the 64th minute. Godfrey — who became more influential as the game wore on having switched to the right — sent over a precise cross and Ian Juryeff rose to head home.

Suddenly it looked as though Slough might collapse but, the midfield battled back superbly and after a shaky, spell skipper Harris rallied the defence back to their earlier composure.

Substitute Colin Landeg was brought on to strengthen the midfield, replacing the tiring Kiely, and in the last ten minutes Wilson started to get the better of Kevin Hales on the left as the Rebels amazingly drove forward again.

But there were several last-minute scares still for Slough, and in the 88th minute Cornwell almost snatched a dramatic winner for Orient before Bateman and Way, between them, managed to scramble the ball away.

This was Slough's day and the draw was more than they could have dreamt of — the delight on the players' faces arid the scenes afterwards showed that.

Slough didn't let this match slip as it was always likely Orient would hit back and the way they then held them off and counter attacked was a tribute to every player.

Every Slough player was a hero from Way to Wilson and this has to rate as one of the Rebels' best performances for many years — if not the best.

Report: Adrian Seal (Slough Express)