Slough waste another chance

Slough manager Alan Davies must be wondering just how long the Vauxhall-Opel League Premier Division's title contenders are going to contrive to keep rekindling the Rebels' slim hopes. For once again, the championship chasing bunch managed to drop some crucial points, and Slough yet again failed to capitalise.

Although top marksman Jimmy Brown is back among the goals, his fine equaliser against Leyton Wingate on Saturday was overshadowed by missed chances that could have sealed maximum points. As it was Slough fell foul of a spectacular 17th minute goal from Leyton's Steve Robinson which proved enough to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.

Davies was as frustrated as anyone after the game. "If we had won our last few games we could well have been top of the league, the way the others are dropping points," he said. Just as frustrating for Davies is the reason for Slough's recent slump. Widely respected as one of the best footballing side's in the league, Slough were winning games in entertaining fashion during the first half of the season.

However, since the weather has turned for the worse, so have the Rebels. Their natural passing game is not so effective on the heavy and rutted pitches that develop around Christmas time. Nevertheless, Slough bravely though perhaps a little naively, continue to try and outplay their opponents rather than outbattle them. On Saturday, they did just that during the first half, but a more aggressive approach after the break saw them dominate throughout the second period.

Davies is all too aware of the unfortunate problem and said of Saturday's contest, "We tried to play too much football in the first half, but had the better of them in the second. But if you are going to win league titles, you have got to put away the chances," he added.

That appears to be their only real problem. Once again, the Rebels were solid enough at the back, thanks largely to Jeff Bateman, back to his best at the heart of the defence. Indeed there was nothing Slough could do about the visitors goal. A strong headed clearance from Bateman fell for Robinson, who struck a tremendous 30 yard volley over a helpless Trevor Bunting from the left flank.

Slough searched hard for the equaliser, but it was Leyton who had the lion share of possession. The Rebels had to wait until the 29th minute for their first chance when a Gary Dodd header fell for Wayne Wanklyn whose ferocious shot was charged down.

Slough were very nearly caught napping five minutes later. Elijah Bee's well weighted through ball left Dwight Marshall in the clear and only a cynical foul from Keith White halted him as he approached the Slough area. White was booked for the offence, but it appeared to have been worth it when Brown levelled matters just four minutes into the second half.

Wayne Wanklyn sent over a splendid cross on the turn, Dodd rose well to nod down and Brown gave a splendid move the perfect finish from 10 yards. Slough were now in the hunt, but for all their superiority they could not breakthrough the visitors' desperate defence.

Dodd blasted over when well placed in the 63rd minute, White powered a volley inches over eight minutes later and Brown sent the ball wide from 15 yards with eight minutes to play.