Rebels Get A Harsh Reminder

Slough Town's perfect Vauxhall Conference record was ended in emphatic style by Altrincham on Saturday as David Kemp's side conceded their first four goals of the season.

It was an early reminder to Rebels and their followers that consistency is the key to success and that at this level, performances lacking somewhat in commitment and desire are likely to be heavily punished.

Altrincham, it should be said, were not three goals better than Slough on Saturday, but they were certainly more aware that league position alone is no guarantee of Conference points.

It obviously hurt David Kemp, who couldn't disguise his annoyance. "The players thought that pulling on their shirts would be enough, they hadn't come to work. We were hopeless, there was no discipline, players who have been performing to a pattern have introduced things today I have never seen before. Sure we had a problem coping with their lad Bradshaw, but he wouldn't have been such a problem if we hadn't given them the ball all afternoon. What I just don't understand is if we have had a certain amount of joy playing in a certain way why the players should decide to change, makes no sense."

The lad Bradshaw — Charlie — did more than cause Slough the odd problem, he was their perpetual tormentor, scoring twice, setting up another and threatening, through pace and persistence, to to further damage, Stuart Hemsley will have easier afternoons as the season progresses.

Hemsley however should not be singled out for special criticism because several contributions were lacking when compared with what has gone before. Les Briley, in his crucial playmaker role, struggled to find his range and never looked likely to cause Altrincham the woe he heaped on Dagenham Redbridge.

Darren Anderson had a sloppy game at the back and Mark Quamina faded once more. lan Hazel had most reason to be pleased but the former Bristol Rovers man was replaced midway through the second half by Steve Scott.

Hazel had actually nodded Slough in front on 14 minutes as the script followed it's early season course just though it had been drafted by Kemp himself. However the twist was immediate and dramatic, the storyline taking a very different course.

Bradshaw equalised on 17 minutes as Slough wilted under aerial pressure. It had taken 377 minutes for anyone to beat Trevor Bunting — some record — but the question now was how would Slough react to this strike of impertinence from a team languishing in the lower reaches of the league. Not well.

After Sayer missed the opportunity to put Slough back in front, following the approach work of Pluckrose and full debutant George Friel, Bradshaw stole in to give the visitors the advantage. Hemsley hesitated, Bunting was stranded and Bradshaw lobbed successfully from 22 yards.

Now it was character test time, behind for the first time, Slough needed to steady themselves but it didn't happen. More Altrincham corners, more uncertainty in the six yard area and when Richard Harris headed back across goal, Ian Thompson added the finishing touch from close in.

Foran's lowspot of the day nearly gifted Bradshaw his hat-trick, but though he beat Bunting to the understrength headed back-pass he couldn't get his lofted shot on target.

As the half closed Friel tested Bury Youth team graduate Pollitt in the Altrincham goal, while Pluckrose was a yard wide stretching to turn in Friel's cross.

Slough's best period was after the break when they chased the game with some fervour. Hazel's deep cross almost curled beyond Pollitt but he got a late and necessary tip over, and when Scott came on his first role was to test the young goalkeeper from 18 yards out and Pollitt touched the effort onto the crossbar.

If Slough were going to salvage something they had to score now, but Briley's fierce drive was deflected away and corner after corner was wasted.

Slough's fate was brutally decided with just nine minutes left. Once again Bradshaw outpaced Hemsley and though his pullback looked rather aimless it was met at some pace and with formidable power by Clive Freeman leaving poor Bunting without a hope.

Freeman celebrated with a couple of forward roles and a kiss or two from the jubilant bench brigade while Slough struggled to come to terms with a rather startling smudge on their previously unblemished record.