Cup disaster for Slough as Anderson sees red and Rebels exit

The Rebels' interest in this season's FA Cup competition came to an emphatic end at Layer Road on Saturday.

Third division Colchester United held just too much fire power especially after Slough's Darren Anderson was sensationally sent off after only 36 minutes for allegedly head-butting United's player-manager Roy McDonagh at a free-kick.

The two have a long running feud dating back to last season and neither player had forgotten their differences. That said Anderson should by now have enough experience to be able to step away from such confrontation, his foolishness was to cost his side dear.

McDonagh had himself booked in the ninth minute by zealous referee Paul Alcock after persistently disputing decisions.

The hostile home crowd were derisive of everything Slough did but this did not affect young right back Steve Whitby who, with the Premier League scouts again watching, had his best game for the club.

The Rebels went one down after 17 minutes when Tony Sorrell — who was making his home debut having recently signed from Manchester United — headed in a right corner with the Slough defence caught napping.

When Andy Sayer and Tony English were booked for a skirmish in the centre circle, the resulting free kick, in Slough's favour, was floated into the penalty area by Les Briley. Anderson and McDonagh rose for the ball with the Slough man knocking United's manager to the ground. The referee instantly reached for the red card and Anderson made a sad exit.

His dismissal not surprisingly disrupted Slough's flow and Colchester now poured forward throwing everything at the Rebels' reorganised defence.

Their second strike arrived two minutes before the interval but only after three attempts on goal. First Gary Bennett's shot was blocked by Trevor Bunting; a second effort by Steve Ball was stopped on the line by Whitby but Bennett ran in to stab the ball home from close range.

At the start of the second half ten-man Town enjoyed their best spell of pressure as Colchester sat back content with their advantage.

In the 47th minute Paul McKinnon was unlucky to have his shot deflected into the side netting and two minutes later after Scott was fouled on the edge of the area, McKinnon's free-kick was blocked by the seven-man defensive wall.

Slough though really should have hit the net on 52 minutes as they split the United defence with their move of the match. Whitby found McKinnon on the edge of the box and the burly Rebels forward flicked the ball into the path of Sayer who was just ten yards from goal but hurriedly put his shot the wrong side of the upright.

Colchester rattled by this spell by Slough pressure hit hack and struck the woodwork twice in the space of three minutes. First Bennett found the cross bar from 30 yards then Sorrell's mazy run ended with a shot rebounding from the base of the post into Bunting's arms.

Slough came back again and a fine cross from Fiore gave Sayer another opportunity but on loan goalkeeper Roy Green saved well.

McKinnon and Fiore were both booked before Kinsella brought an excellent save from Bunting.

With Slough finally running out of steam the home side doubled their advantage in the last three minutes, giving the score-line a harsh look.

Slough though were no disgraced and can look forward to better things in the Conference.