Match day

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Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28
19:45

Match day

Team logo
Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28 19:45
Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League
1st
45pts

Davies is unruffled by late charge

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Stanley (22)
Carshalton Ath

Carshalton Ath

1
Jones (8)
League Gary Dodd
Slough's hopes of finishing in the top three of the Vauxhall Opel League suffered a setback on Saturday when they dropped two vital points in this top of the table clash with Carshalton.

Although the Rebels extended their recent run of form to only one defeat in their last six matches, the Robins are beginning to make a late charge for third place and this point means that they're only 10 points behind Slough with six matches in hand.

But Rebels manager Alan Davies is confident that his side can hold off Carshalton's challenge and said afterwards: "I think that the situation is in our own hands really.

"If we manage to win our remaining three matches, which we re quite capable of doing, we should finish third.

"Carshalton have a lot of games left and they're going to have to play twice a week from now on. I think it'll be quite a tall order for them to pick up enough points in their remaining matches."

Davies was still pleased with his side's performance, although he was a bit disappointed that they hadn't been able to make use of all their possession in the second-half.

It was an entertaining match," he said. "Carshalton were the better side in the first-half, but we dominated the match afterwards. Unfortunately we didn't create enough chances after the break and the final ball into the penalty-area wasn't as good as it has been in recent matches."

Injuries to Tony Knight and Ray Duffy forced Davies to reshuffle his defence — Gary Dodd dropping back to play alongside Jeff Bateman at centre-back.

Slough took some time to adjust to this new formation and after only eight minutes they fell behind. Conrad Kane and Keith Tomlin combined to give Murray Jones the chance to hit a thunderous volley past keeper Gary Lester.

Jon Warden went close to increasing their lead a minute later when he controlled a long cross and sent a shot skimming over the bar.

Slough missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 19th minute, Jeff Bateman seeing his weak effort cleared off the line by Curtis Warmington after Les Cleevely dropped Trevor How's free-kick.

But the Robins always looked likely to increase their lead and Lester had to pull off good saves from Kane and Tomlin. However, on the stroke of half-time the Rebels pulled level, Steve Thompson crossing for Neal Stanley to head home his 22nd goal of the season.

Dodd and Bateman managed to subdue Carshalton's raids after the interval and Slough enjoyed almost all the territorial advantage without really threatening a goal.

Their best chance came two minutes from the end when Keith White's snapshot flew inches past the post with Cleevely well beaten.

Carshalton Ath Lineup

Cleevely; Warmington, Riley, Raffington, Green, Kane, Warden, Rogers, Bestow, Tomlin, Jones. Subs: Nelson (for Jones 67 mins), Budden (for Tomlin 81 mins).

Rebels

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