Dover Athletic
0
Slough Town
0
League
Attendance: 1119
Ian Hazel
Nil nil draws are not always as bad as they sound, unfortunately this one was.
This was a game crying out for somebody to illuminate it but when Dover's star player, David Leworthy, failed to arrive, due to car trouble, most fans feared the worst and their fears were founded.
The game like the weather turned out to be dull, rather like an end of term stroll, not a top of the table clash. Even the inspirational Mark Fiore had a quiet afternoon and many of the crowed made their feelings clear by leaving in droves with 25 minutes remaining.
Despite the lack of quality of the game Slough were the better side and were well worth their point in a vastly improved display from the showing at Bath in midweek.
Reverting again to a flat back four, Briley pushed into midfield and marshalled his troops well while stand-in centre back Ian Hazel had a fine game in place of the disappointing Edwards who has returned to Crystal Palace.
Early on Slough gained a succession of corners but created no clear cut chances and a half hit shot by Hazel which skimmed the post was the only thing they had to show after dominating the first twenty minutes.
Manning who again looked solid in midfield struck a powerful effort but Munden the Dover 'keeper took the ball easily in his midriff. Both sides struggled to build anything worthwhile and despite Sayer holding the ball up well a lack of support meant Dover dealt easily with Slough's attacks.
Just before half time Stanley looped a volley over and Manning shot just wide.
Bunting was only troubled once in the half when a chipped free kick was taken under the bar despite the presence of Milton.
The second half was the same story as Slough had the better early on. Hazel shot straight at the keeper from twenty yards and Manning was just wide again after good work by Fiore as Slough failed to penetrate, settling for shots from the edge of the box.
Dover's best efforts to attack were instigated by their man of the match Tony Dixon but they could find no way through Slough's resolute defence and Bunting was redundant for most of the second forty-five minutes.
Scott came on with half an hour to go replacing the injured Briley and his first contribution was a cross which Morrys Scott headed just wide.
Walker replaced Lee, hurt in a late challenge by O'Brien who escaped a booking and indeed could well have won the game with a late header which went wide when it seemed he should score.
This was a game crying out for somebody to illuminate it but when Dover's star player, David Leworthy, failed to arrive, due to car trouble, most fans feared the worst and their fears were founded.
The game like the weather turned out to be dull, rather like an end of term stroll, not a top of the table clash. Even the inspirational Mark Fiore had a quiet afternoon and many of the crowed made their feelings clear by leaving in droves with 25 minutes remaining.
Despite the lack of quality of the game Slough were the better side and were well worth their point in a vastly improved display from the showing at Bath in midweek.
Reverting again to a flat back four, Briley pushed into midfield and marshalled his troops well while stand-in centre back Ian Hazel had a fine game in place of the disappointing Edwards who has returned to Crystal Palace.
Early on Slough gained a succession of corners but created no clear cut chances and a half hit shot by Hazel which skimmed the post was the only thing they had to show after dominating the first twenty minutes.
Manning who again looked solid in midfield struck a powerful effort but Munden the Dover 'keeper took the ball easily in his midriff. Both sides struggled to build anything worthwhile and despite Sayer holding the ball up well a lack of support meant Dover dealt easily with Slough's attacks.
Just before half time Stanley looped a volley over and Manning shot just wide.
Bunting was only troubled once in the half when a chipped free kick was taken under the bar despite the presence of Milton.
The second half was the same story as Slough had the better early on. Hazel shot straight at the keeper from twenty yards and Manning was just wide again after good work by Fiore as Slough failed to penetrate, settling for shots from the edge of the box.
Dover's best efforts to attack were instigated by their man of the match Tony Dixon but they could find no way through Slough's resolute defence and Bunting was redundant for most of the second forty-five minutes.
Scott came on with half an hour to go replacing the injured Briley and his first contribution was a cross which Morrys Scott headed just wide.
Walker replaced Lee, hurt in a late challenge by O'Brien who escaped a booking and indeed could well have won the game with a late header which went wide when it seemed he should score.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Darren Hancock
- 3 Alan Dowson
- 4 Les Briley 14
- 5 Brian Lee 12
- 6 Ian Hazel
- 7 Paul Manning
- 8 Neal Stanley
- 9 Morrys Scott
- 10 Andy Sayer
- 11 Mark Fiore
Substitutes
- 12 Lee Walker 5
- 14 Steve Scott 4