Rebels Battle To K.O. Kingstonian

Slough overcame a massive injury crisis to maintain their excellent form and reach the first round proper of the FA Cup. With only 13 fit players Slough lined up for their most difficult cup game so far with the opponents old rivals from Diadora League days Kingstonian.

The K's had just got their league act back together as they battle for promotion to the Conference and they had notched up a 5-0 midweek win. But Slough for their part have hit a fine run and banged 11 goals in two league matches despite their injury problems.

The cup match came on the back of Slough's biggest away and home wins in the Conference and the expectant crowd were ready for more. They showed resilience to carry on with injuries to Phil Burns, Tony Knight, Mick Putnam, Steve Scott, Eammon O'Connor, Neal Stanley, with Steve Thompson, Mark Mallinson and Mark Hill all carrying injuries and Mark Turkington joining them with a groin strain at half time.

Francis Joseph was drafted in and sat the game out on the bench to avoid being cup tied. The game turned out to be a scrappy, typical cup battle. Kingstonian did their best to prevent Slough getting control of the game by stopping the Rebels' midfield cohesion. But for their part the K's never looked a threat and it took super sub Francis Vines to come on and score with their only one decent chance of the game.

The main reason for this was the superb performances of central defensive pair Darren Anderson and Mark Hill. Anderson was quite exceptional and it is a credit to the player's attitude that his form has improved so much in recent weeks. Alongside Hill the pair were dominant in the air and anything pumped up to them was just meat and drink, with Anderson proving a threat in the visitors' penalty area from set pieces.

The first of these saw a powerful far post header across goal just missed by Paul McKinnon diving in at the other end of goal. McKinnon then followed this up with a neat turn on the near post which resulted in his effort beating keeper Adrian Blake but hitting the woodwork. Anderson then fired just wide after McKinnon's flick from a corner and the Rebels were getting behind the K's defence and looking dangerous.

Steve Thompson was grabbed from behind by Lee Davidson after he and Blake went for the same ball and Davidson went into the book. It was to prove a real battle between the Slough forward and Davidson after that with the K's defender sticking tight on Thompson and giving him no room at all.

This, combined with injury and a lack of service to feet, prevented the Slough forward from performing to his usual sharpness. Slough dominated from midfield as the match went on and strung some neat moves together against a side that got as many men behind the ball to quell the forward movement.

With 34 minutes gone though, Slough went ahead. The skilful Steve Whitby on his home debut swung in a cross from the right and Davidson swung a leg and managed to hook it past his own goalkeeper.

The second period saw the Rebels lose momentum with the loss of Turkington at half time. They missed his ability to get the ball under control and knock it around and as a result the midfield became scrappy and the game was riddled with free kicks.

The visitor's defence got tighter and kept Slough thinking with their offside trap and Kingston put themselves about to stop the Rebels dominating. The introduction of Vines for Smart suddenly gave Kingstonian a bit more of an edge going forward.

Anderson went close for Slough from a free kick but with the ball being quickly thumped around Slough were never allowed to get the pace slowed to their neat passing game and the match became hard work for both sides.

With 65 minutes gone Vines swooped to level the scores and send the vociferous K's supports mad. The Rebels were guilty of failing to clear their lines properly from a corner and Vines hooked the ball home with the first chance the visitors' really had.

But Slough came straight back and with 68 minutes gone, Tony Dell swung in a cross after Whitby's good work and Mallinson dived low to score with a tremendous header. Slough got back on top. Thompson managed to wriggle free from his marker and sent his shot across the face of the goal and just wide.

Soon after Phil Stacey raced through the K's defence only to be upended in the box and referee Mr Ward waved play on. Mallinson then went close near the end and the final whistle sounded Slough into the first round proper.