Slough Town
2
McKinnon (20), Sayer (86)
Merthyr Tydfil
1
Williams (48, pen)
League
Attendance: 1175
Steve Whitby
Right from the kick-off Slough were the more positive against their struggling Welsh opponents.
The combined strike force of Paul McKinnon and Andy Sayer, with 22 goals in all competitions between them at the start, proved a real handful for the Merthyr defence.
Early on McKinnon shot just wide and Sayer put the ball just over the bar, while Steve Whitby was harrowing his marker down the wing.
Sustained first-half pressure was rewarded after twenty minutes A right-wing break by Steve Whitby was followed by an inch-perfect cross to McKinnon who's looping header caught Merthyr's 'keeper Gary Wager flat-footed and Slough took the lead.
This prompted Merthyr to greater endeavour and Mark Coates went close before Trevor Bunting in the Rebels goal pulled off a good save from David Webley.
Despite the Welshman's work, it looked as though Slough were the more likely to score next, but they were kept out and went in at half time just the solitary goal ahead.
After the break the referee Mr R.J. Harris of Oxford awarded the strangest of penalties which shocked both players and the thousand strong crowd.
Completely out of the blue it was Darren Anderson who used his arm illegally going up for the ball following an Andy Beatty cross.
Celli Williams converted from the spot and suddenly the hosts found the scores level.
Merthyr Tydfil then took over as the Rebels rhythm was disrupted by the shock, and Bunting was kept on his toes to keep out the maruading Welsh side's forwards.
Dave Kemp's inspired substitution in the 73rd minute immediately brought a change about and Wager was forced into action, although Slough had to clear a mystifying free kick from just outside the penalty area.
Dave Green shot wide in the dying minutes and it began to look as if the game was set tor a draw, but then the Rebels created another good goal to take the points.
Once again Steve Whitby was the provider, heading down the wing and beating the full back, to cross for the ever present McKinnon to flick on and Sayer to volley into the net.
The enthusiasm with which the goal was greeted by fans and players alike showed how crucial every point is now becoming to the title chase.
The combined strike force of Paul McKinnon and Andy Sayer, with 22 goals in all competitions between them at the start, proved a real handful for the Merthyr defence.
Early on McKinnon shot just wide and Sayer put the ball just over the bar, while Steve Whitby was harrowing his marker down the wing.
Sustained first-half pressure was rewarded after twenty minutes A right-wing break by Steve Whitby was followed by an inch-perfect cross to McKinnon who's looping header caught Merthyr's 'keeper Gary Wager flat-footed and Slough took the lead.
This prompted Merthyr to greater endeavour and Mark Coates went close before Trevor Bunting in the Rebels goal pulled off a good save from David Webley.
Despite the Welshman's work, it looked as though Slough were the more likely to score next, but they were kept out and went in at half time just the solitary goal ahead.
After the break the referee Mr R.J. Harris of Oxford awarded the strangest of penalties which shocked both players and the thousand strong crowd.
Completely out of the blue it was Darren Anderson who used his arm illegally going up for the ball following an Andy Beatty cross.
Celli Williams converted from the spot and suddenly the hosts found the scores level.
Merthyr Tydfil then took over as the Rebels rhythm was disrupted by the shock, and Bunting was kept on his toes to keep out the maruading Welsh side's forwards.
Dave Kemp's inspired substitution in the 73rd minute immediately brought a change about and Wager was forced into action, although Slough had to clear a mystifying free kick from just outside the penalty area.
Dave Green shot wide in the dying minutes and it began to look as if the game was set tor a draw, but then the Rebels created another good goal to take the points.
Once again Steve Whitby was the provider, heading down the wing and beating the full back, to cross for the ever present McKinnon to flick on and Sayer to volley into the net.
The enthusiasm with which the goal was greeted by fans and players alike showed how crucial every point is now becoming to the title chase.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Steve Whitby
- 3 Alan Pluckrose
- 4 Les Briley
- 5 Mark Foran
- 6 Darren Anderson
- 7 George Friel 14
- 8 Steve Scott
- 9 Andy Sayer
- 10 Paul McKinnon
- 11 Mark Fiore
Substitutes
- 12 Ian Hazel
- 14 David Greene 7