Slough Town
1
White (49)
Bishop's Stortford
0
League
The look of delight and amazement on Keith White's face told the story of Slough's bizarre winner on Tuesday.
The Rebels skipper needed a mixture of bad luck and bad judgement on the part of the Bishop's Stortford 'keeper to ensure his side made it four Vauxhall-Opel League wins in a row.
Three minutes had gone in the second half when White tried a surprise lob from at least 30 yards. He was successful in deceiving Martin Taylor, but saw the ball hit the bar, only to whack the hapless Stortford 'keeper on the back of the head and drop into the net.
The goal signalled the start of a second half performance that was a lot more impressive than what had gone before against a side high on fighting spirit but low on firepower.
After a game in which Trevor Bunting didn't have to make a save in the Rebels goal, manager Alan Davies said: "Stortford are always a hard, physical side and they play for 90 minutes. We had to match them in that department.”
Slough battled enthusiastically after having to make a late switch to a 4-3-3 line-up, striker Mark Davis coming in for midfielder Des MacMahon, who was unable to get away from work. Along with captain White, Davis typified the commitment that got Slough home in an unspectacular game, earning the praise of his manager.
“In the last few weeks Mark has done himself justice. He did well again tonight and he gives us another option." said Davies. The Rebels boss admitted the goal had been JUI fortunate: "We had a little bit of luck. On Saturday we had four or five chances that we didn't take and tonight we have got one out of the blue."
Slough did not show sufficient imagination during the first half hour in which Stortford's Francis Cassidy was booked for not retreating 10 yards to test the visitors defence.
The finally began asking questions of Taylor in the final few minutes of the half, and Taylor had the answers. He pushed away a low White free-kick from 20 yards and from the resulting corner made an involuntary save with his thigh from Kenny Wilson's glancing header.
Gary Woodcraft was booked three minutes before the break after clashing with Cassidy Coutside the Slough box after the same period the other side of half time came the vital goal.
White began to stamp his authority on the game after putting his side in front and it was his pass which freed Jimmy Brown after 51 minutes. Brown was pulled back by Phil Hopkins, but allowed to go on and miss the chance. Taylor made a good save to turn a header from Davis over the bar and then got down to his left hand position to save another White free-kick.
Davis twice showed lovely touch to free Wilson, both moves coming to nothing, and when Brown raced through on Bateman's header Hopkins again grabbed hold of him to earn a booking.
At the other end a late Stortford surge caused a few hasty clearances from the Slough defence, but failed to call Bunting into action.
The Rebels skipper needed a mixture of bad luck and bad judgement on the part of the Bishop's Stortford 'keeper to ensure his side made it four Vauxhall-Opel League wins in a row.
Three minutes had gone in the second half when White tried a surprise lob from at least 30 yards. He was successful in deceiving Martin Taylor, but saw the ball hit the bar, only to whack the hapless Stortford 'keeper on the back of the head and drop into the net.
The goal signalled the start of a second half performance that was a lot more impressive than what had gone before against a side high on fighting spirit but low on firepower.
After a game in which Trevor Bunting didn't have to make a save in the Rebels goal, manager Alan Davies said: "Stortford are always a hard, physical side and they play for 90 minutes. We had to match them in that department.”
Slough battled enthusiastically after having to make a late switch to a 4-3-3 line-up, striker Mark Davis coming in for midfielder Des MacMahon, who was unable to get away from work. Along with captain White, Davis typified the commitment that got Slough home in an unspectacular game, earning the praise of his manager.
“In the last few weeks Mark has done himself justice. He did well again tonight and he gives us another option." said Davies. The Rebels boss admitted the goal had been JUI fortunate: "We had a little bit of luck. On Saturday we had four or five chances that we didn't take and tonight we have got one out of the blue."
Slough did not show sufficient imagination during the first half hour in which Stortford's Francis Cassidy was booked for not retreating 10 yards to test the visitors defence.
The finally began asking questions of Taylor in the final few minutes of the half, and Taylor had the answers. He pushed away a low White free-kick from 20 yards and from the resulting corner made an involuntary save with his thigh from Kenny Wilson's glancing header.
Gary Woodcraft was booked three minutes before the break after clashing with Cassidy Coutside the Slough box after the same period the other side of half time came the vital goal.
White began to stamp his authority on the game after putting his side in front and it was his pass which freed Jimmy Brown after 51 minutes. Brown was pulled back by Phil Hopkins, but allowed to go on and miss the chance. Taylor made a good save to turn a header from Davis over the bar and then got down to his left hand position to save another White free-kick.
Davis twice showed lovely touch to free Wilson, both moves coming to nothing, and when Brown raced through on Bateman's header Hopkins again grabbed hold of him to earn a booking.
At the other end a late Stortford surge caused a few hasty clearances from the Slough defence, but failed to call Bunting into action.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Jimmy Jacobs
- 3 Gary Woodcraft
- 4 Paul Waites 12
- 5 Jeff Bateman
- 6 Keith White
- 7 Mark Davis
- 8 Tony Knight
- 9 Jimmy Brown
- 10 Devon Petty
- 11 Kenny Wilson
Substitutes
- 12 Chris Wheatley 4
- 14 Paul Gardam
Bishop's Stortford Lineup
Taylor, Clozier, Goodchild, Hopkins, Hull, Templeton, Nunn, Cassidy, Wood, Weddell, Hardy. Subs: Newbury, Barker (for Templeton, Wood 72 mins).