Slough Town
1
McKinnon (53)
Runcorn
0
League
Attendance: 805
Michael Putnam
Slough managed to convert only one of the hundreds of chances they created, but that was enough to defeat a disorganised Runcorn at Wexham Park. In a scrappy game with only a few flashes of inspiration, the Linnets were on the whole outplayed by the Slough outfit that now stands third in the Conference.
Slough started fast straight from the whistle, piling the pressure on Runcorn's defence. Prolific goal scorer Steve Thompson showed what a talented striker he has become with a series of moves that confused the visiting back-line.
But it was Martin Hanchard who should have put Runcorn ahead after eight minutes. From a Paul Mullen free kick just outside the area, Ian Harold headed on to Hanchard who was free at the far post but his header went wide of the open goal.
Both sides moved up a gear after 20 minutes, creating a number of chances at either end that all went begging. Rebels keeper Trever Bunting had to make a fine save to deny Mullen at one end, while at the other, Joe Palidino was severely tested after a magical solo run from Thompson. Despite a defence that looked vulnerable to any sort of concerted attack, it was Slough who took control of the game as the first half wore on. But it wasn't until the 53rd minute that they finally managed to score.
A blistering run down the left from Eammon O'Connor stretched the Runcorn defence. His cross fell to the feet of the incoming Thompson whose first time shot hit the bar. Paul McKinnon controlled the rebound to score.
Runcorn stepped up the pace as they searched for the equaliser, with two substitutions to give the midfield some fresh legs, but their attacks were too disorganised to breakthrough and the competent Slough defence found it easy to tidy up.
Had Runcorn made a concerted attack, Slough may have found themselves with a few problems.
Michael Putman looked solid at the back as he played an important role in frustrating Runcorn's efforts, but on the whole they tempted fate by playing a dangerously fallible offside trap, and Mark Hill was often beaten for pace and found the high ball difficult to contend with.
He was replaced by the Rebels' new signing, Maltese star Steve Scott, who played a fairly anonymous ten minutes before taking a knock and leaving the field shaking his head, to be replaced by Neal Stanley.
But after a couple of desperate goal-mouth scrambles with just a few minutes to go, Slough slowed the game down to ensure the three points were theirs.
Slough started fast straight from the whistle, piling the pressure on Runcorn's defence. Prolific goal scorer Steve Thompson showed what a talented striker he has become with a series of moves that confused the visiting back-line.
But it was Martin Hanchard who should have put Runcorn ahead after eight minutes. From a Paul Mullen free kick just outside the area, Ian Harold headed on to Hanchard who was free at the far post but his header went wide of the open goal.
Both sides moved up a gear after 20 minutes, creating a number of chances at either end that all went begging. Rebels keeper Trever Bunting had to make a fine save to deny Mullen at one end, while at the other, Joe Palidino was severely tested after a magical solo run from Thompson. Despite a defence that looked vulnerable to any sort of concerted attack, it was Slough who took control of the game as the first half wore on. But it wasn't until the 53rd minute that they finally managed to score.
A blistering run down the left from Eammon O'Connor stretched the Runcorn defence. His cross fell to the feet of the incoming Thompson whose first time shot hit the bar. Paul McKinnon controlled the rebound to score.
Runcorn stepped up the pace as they searched for the equaliser, with two substitutions to give the midfield some fresh legs, but their attacks were too disorganised to breakthrough and the competent Slough defence found it easy to tidy up.
Had Runcorn made a concerted attack, Slough may have found themselves with a few problems.
Michael Putman looked solid at the back as he played an important role in frustrating Runcorn's efforts, but on the whole they tempted fate by playing a dangerously fallible offside trap, and Mark Hill was often beaten for pace and found the high ball difficult to contend with.
He was replaced by the Rebels' new signing, Maltese star Steve Scott, who played a fairly anonymous ten minutes before taking a knock and leaving the field shaking his head, to be replaced by Neal Stanley.
But after a couple of desperate goal-mouth scrambles with just a few minutes to go, Slough slowed the game down to ensure the three points were theirs.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Tony Knight
- 3 Alan Pluckrose
- 4 Mark Hill 14
- 5 Michael Putnam
- 6 Mark Turkington
- 7 Colin Fielder
- 8 Paul McKinnon
- 9 Gary Donnellan
- 10 Steve Thompson
- 11 Eamonn OConnor
Substitutes
- 12 Neal Stanley 14
- 14 Steve Scott 4
Runcorn Lineup
Palidino, Byrne, Mullen, Carroll, Hill. Diggle, Hanshaw, Harold, Shaughnessy, Hanchard Withers. Subs: Hawtin (for Diggle, 54),Varden (fm Hanchard, 67).