Basingstoke Town
1
Mottashed (15)
Slough Town
3
B. Dell (23), Rake (34), Stanley (81)
League
Attendance: 616
Gary Dodd
Slough took the opportunity to move into joint top spot when they recorded a fine win at Basingstoke on Tuesday night.
It was the defence which proved the fulcrum for victory as they held at bay a home side that had taken a previous 15 points from six home games.
Slough boss Alan Davies left out the available Tony Knight, and stuck with the side that has suddenly hit a purple patch at a vital time.
And his choice for a central defensive partnership looked correct as Jeff Bateman, back to his brilliant best, and the outstanding Gary Dodd proved formidable.
Alan Davies said of their performance: "Jeff Bateman is back to the high standard he set at the back, and Gary Dodd is looking better and better in that position." He went on to reflect on the game: "Although they had a lot of possession they didn't do much, and we were worth our victory."
Barry Rake fired just over for Slough early on, but the Stoke gradually moved into gear, and took the lead after 15 minutes with a typically good move from a set piece, Mottashed heading home Webb's corner.
The home side were showing no reaction to their FA Cup defeat on Saturday by Torquay and were pushing forward well.
Slough came back at them though, and Rake and Adams were both impressive on the flanks.
With 23 minutes gone they were back on equal terms.
Trevor How's free kick found Adams at the far post to head down, the keeper dived but couldn't hold the ball, and Bobby Dell was on hand to fire home.
The Rebels persisted against a very physical side on a quagmire of a pitch, and still managed to come up with some excellent football.
Barry Rake put Slough in front after 34 minutes with a fantastic goal. The young midfield man received the ball on the edge of the box from How's throw in, turned and raced past three defenders to crash a shot into the top corner of the net from 18 yards.
Steve Thompson volleyed just wide from a cleared free kick, and Neal Stanley's header was saved. Gary Lester made a good save from Greenwood to preserve Slough's lead at the interval.
The second half saw the home side with much more of the possession, trying to work their way down the flanks, but getting lost and resorting to long balls into the box.
In response, Bateman was aggressive and commanding, and Dodd was clinical in sweeping up anything loose, wining vital tackles when needed.
But for all the possession they had, Basingstoke couldn't muster a shot on target, and at the other end, their centre backs were lost in the mud.
Just after the hour, Thompson found himself through, and set up Rake on the edge of the box, but keeper Simpkins was quick off his line to defy him.
A double substitution to add fresh legs to the forward line for the home side had no effect, the defence just continued to soak up the pressure.
It was down to Neal Stanley to notch his seventh goal in four games to put the tie beyond doubt. With nine minutes remaining, Rake's through ball released Stanley and the striker raced forward, sidestepped a challenge, and crashed the ball home.
The defence weren't worried in the dying minutes, and the Rebels moved into joint top spot with Aylesbury in the race for the Championship.
It was the defence which proved the fulcrum for victory as they held at bay a home side that had taken a previous 15 points from six home games.
Slough boss Alan Davies left out the available Tony Knight, and stuck with the side that has suddenly hit a purple patch at a vital time.
And his choice for a central defensive partnership looked correct as Jeff Bateman, back to his brilliant best, and the outstanding Gary Dodd proved formidable.
Alan Davies said of their performance: "Jeff Bateman is back to the high standard he set at the back, and Gary Dodd is looking better and better in that position." He went on to reflect on the game: "Although they had a lot of possession they didn't do much, and we were worth our victory."
Barry Rake fired just over for Slough early on, but the Stoke gradually moved into gear, and took the lead after 15 minutes with a typically good move from a set piece, Mottashed heading home Webb's corner.
The home side were showing no reaction to their FA Cup defeat on Saturday by Torquay and were pushing forward well.
Slough came back at them though, and Rake and Adams were both impressive on the flanks.
With 23 minutes gone they were back on equal terms.
Trevor How's free kick found Adams at the far post to head down, the keeper dived but couldn't hold the ball, and Bobby Dell was on hand to fire home.
The Rebels persisted against a very physical side on a quagmire of a pitch, and still managed to come up with some excellent football.
Barry Rake put Slough in front after 34 minutes with a fantastic goal. The young midfield man received the ball on the edge of the box from How's throw in, turned and raced past three defenders to crash a shot into the top corner of the net from 18 yards.
Steve Thompson volleyed just wide from a cleared free kick, and Neal Stanley's header was saved. Gary Lester made a good save from Greenwood to preserve Slough's lead at the interval.
The second half saw the home side with much more of the possession, trying to work their way down the flanks, but getting lost and resorting to long balls into the box.
In response, Bateman was aggressive and commanding, and Dodd was clinical in sweeping up anything loose, wining vital tackles when needed.
But for all the possession they had, Basingstoke couldn't muster a shot on target, and at the other end, their centre backs were lost in the mud.
Just after the hour, Thompson found himself through, and set up Rake on the edge of the box, but keeper Simpkins was quick off his line to defy him.
A double substitution to add fresh legs to the forward line for the home side had no effect, the defence just continued to soak up the pressure.
It was down to Neal Stanley to notch his seventh goal in four games to put the tie beyond doubt. With nine minutes remaining, Rake's through ball released Stanley and the striker raced forward, sidestepped a challenge, and crashed the ball home.
The defence weren't worried in the dying minutes, and the Rebels moved into joint top spot with Aylesbury in the race for the Championship.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Gary Lester
- 2 Trevor How
- 3 Robbie Johnson
- 4 Bobby Dell
- 5 Jeff Bateman
- 6 Neal Stanley
- 7 Barry Rake
- 8 Gary Dodd
- 9 Tommy Langley
- 10 Steve Thompson
- 11 Mark Adams
Substitutes
- 12 Mark Mallinson
- 14 Tony Dell