Five Star Kettering

Beaten Town Must Forget
Ketting 5-0 Slough Town
Riley (11), Hill (33), Stebbing (53), Unknown (4-0), Unknown (5-0)
Subs: Fiore/Stanley

Slough stumbled to their fourth Conference defeat at Rockingham Road on Tuesday night, giving the Poppies sweet revenge for their opening day defeat at Wexham Park.

With Slough supporters arriving 25 minutes into the game with the Rebels already two-goals down, due to an hour and a half delay on the M1, it was a disappointing result and evening for all connected with the Club.

Paul Maxwell came in for the injured Darren Anderson and new boy Mark Fiore made his debut as a 65th minute substitute for Neal Stanley.

Most of the 1205 spectators could hardly believe what they were seeing, as the form book was turned upside down.

Slough, lying in second place, would have expected to collect some sort of result, but the Poppies desperate for points at the wrong end of the table, provided a five star display to hit the net on as many occasions.

This was even more remarkable, as caretaker manager Graham Carr has limited resources at his disposal; but a shrewd signing a week ago, brought 27 year-old Gary Stebbing, the former Charlton and Maidstone player, and he turned up trumps on his home debut being involved in all five goals, and scoring Kettering's third in the 53rd minute curling a right foot shot round Trevor Bunting from the edge of the box.

The Rebels had two good chances in the first ten minutes, both falling to top scorer Andy Sayer, but he was denied each time by new keeper Andy Beesley who was quick off his line.

The home side opened the scoring in the 11th minute, following a quick corner on the left, a cross was whipped in by Sean Wood and David Riley got a touch sending the ball goalward hitting Paul Maxwell on its way to the net.

Maxwell was in for Darren Anderson, and seemed uncomfortable. Kettering, with their quick passing game, were able to break down Slough's offside trap, and get telling crosses into the area.

Referee Gear Stratten (Nottingham) saw fit to book five players for trivial offences, two from each side in the first half, and he was booed off at the interval.

The Rebels went two down in the 33rd minute when a swift move out of defence found Richard Hill in space and his 20 yard shot gave Bunting no chance.

Manager Dave Kemp's talk at half time did little to revitalise his players as Slough conceded three more goals in second half. .

Four minutes after the break, Slough had a goal disallowed. Friel and Pluckrose combined well to release Hazel, who lobbed the advancing keeper, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Kettering made it 3-0 after 52 minutes. Woods crossed from the left, Stebbing touched the ball across the Slough goalmouth before it hit the post and spun behind Bunting.

Thereafter the attacks were limited and the Slough defence appeared flat-footed when Kettering added their fourth. Bunting did well to save, but the ball fell loose to Hill who stabbed the ball home from close-range.

Kettering added their fifth with two minutes left. A free-kick from Nicol was slotted home by Riley from two yards out. Slough slipped to third In the table

This was Slough's heaviest defeat since Farnborough back in April, who won 5-0 at Wexham. It was Kettering's first Conference win since October 6.

Slough must now regroup before going north on Saturday to tackle league newcomers Stalybridge Celtic.