Hendon
1
Egbe (21)
Slough Town
1
How (25)
League
Attendance: 641
Trevor How
On the face of it Trevor How and John Barnes have nothing in common. But ten years after their respective careers took turns in opposite directions both are heading for championship success.
While Barnes, a young winger in the Watford side of the early 1980s that barnstormed through the four divisions, is leading Liverpool to another title, How, an established member of the side at Vicarage Road in those days, is enjoying a new lease of life with Slough.
How's 12th goal of the season on Saturday earned Slough another precious point at Claremont Road to move them tantalisingly close to within touching distance of their first League championship for nine years.
With only Wokingham of the top four winning, the Rebels can mathematically clinch the title at home tomorrow when Marlow are the visitors to Wexham Park Stadium.
And it could be quite a family occasion because the Buckinghamshire side are managed by former Slough favourite Dave Russell and their team includes Gary Attrell, manager of Slough Town Supporters' Association's Sunday morning team.
How's appearance belies his true age. Slightly rounded around the stomach with a Bobby Charlton-style hair cut, the 31-year-old publican looks like he should have been put out to grass years ago.
While Steve Thompson and Tommy Langley will probably be mentioned as the reason for Slough's success this season, perhaps someone ought to look in the direction of How when they are handing out the player of the year awards at the end of the season.
His enthusiasm has not wavered. He has been a virtual ever-present this season. And when Slough looked like they might falter in the home straight lurching rather like one of those fun runners at the London Marathon; in sight of the finish but not quite sure whether they will be able to make it — How's goals have kept them on course.
The Rebels were grateful to him against Hendon. The home side had taken the lead in the 21st minute when the exotically named Uche Egbe won a high ball inside Slough's penalty area, turned quickly and fired home the opening goal past 'keeper Trevor Bunting.
How steadied their nerves just four minutes later with the equaliser. Mark Adams floated in a corner and the Slough right-back rose unchallenged to glance a header just inside the far post.
How nearly put Slough in front in the 28th minute with an almost identical header from an Adams corner, but this time Hendon managed to clear the danger.
From this point on the Rebels dominated the match, pinning Hendon back into their own half with sustained periods of pressure. But they could not find a way through.
They forced corner after corner, but a combination of weak finishing and bad luck conspired to keep the match level.
The best opportunity fell to Langley in the 86th minute when he side-footed Adams' cross just inches past the wrong side of the post.
While Barnes, a young winger in the Watford side of the early 1980s that barnstormed through the four divisions, is leading Liverpool to another title, How, an established member of the side at Vicarage Road in those days, is enjoying a new lease of life with Slough.
How's 12th goal of the season on Saturday earned Slough another precious point at Claremont Road to move them tantalisingly close to within touching distance of their first League championship for nine years.
With only Wokingham of the top four winning, the Rebels can mathematically clinch the title at home tomorrow when Marlow are the visitors to Wexham Park Stadium.
And it could be quite a family occasion because the Buckinghamshire side are managed by former Slough favourite Dave Russell and their team includes Gary Attrell, manager of Slough Town Supporters' Association's Sunday morning team.
How's appearance belies his true age. Slightly rounded around the stomach with a Bobby Charlton-style hair cut, the 31-year-old publican looks like he should have been put out to grass years ago.
While Steve Thompson and Tommy Langley will probably be mentioned as the reason for Slough's success this season, perhaps someone ought to look in the direction of How when they are handing out the player of the year awards at the end of the season.
His enthusiasm has not wavered. He has been a virtual ever-present this season. And when Slough looked like they might falter in the home straight lurching rather like one of those fun runners at the London Marathon; in sight of the finish but not quite sure whether they will be able to make it — How's goals have kept them on course.
The Rebels were grateful to him against Hendon. The home side had taken the lead in the 21st minute when the exotically named Uche Egbe won a high ball inside Slough's penalty area, turned quickly and fired home the opening goal past 'keeper Trevor Bunting.
How steadied their nerves just four minutes later with the equaliser. Mark Adams floated in a corner and the Slough right-back rose unchallenged to glance a header just inside the far post.
How nearly put Slough in front in the 28th minute with an almost identical header from an Adams corner, but this time Hendon managed to clear the danger.
From this point on the Rebels dominated the match, pinning Hendon back into their own half with sustained periods of pressure. But they could not find a way through.
They forced corner after corner, but a combination of weak finishing and bad luck conspired to keep the match level.
The best opportunity fell to Langley in the 86th minute when he side-footed Adams' cross just inches past the wrong side of the post.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Trevor How
- 3 Mark Mallinson
- 4 Tony Knight
- 5 Jeff Bateman
- 6 Tony Dell
- 7 Barry Rake
- 8 Neal Stanley
- 9 Tommy Langley
- 10 Steve Thompson
- 11 Mark Adams
Substitutes
- 12 Bobby Dell
- 14 Kevin Rowe
Hendon Lineup
Root, Maxim, Shirt, Duffield, McCayna, Furneaux, Keen, Zacharia, Egbe, Tate, Baker. Subs: Bracken (for Egbe), Allen (for McCayna).