It's Embarassing For Dismal Slough

On another cold and bleak afternoon for Slough, many of the travelling Rebels' faithful called for an end to Les Briley's dismal reign, as his team slumped to another embarrassing away defeat.

A lacklustre performance accompanied a crashing defeat at the hands of mid-table Welling, and while many supporters sympathised with the lack of cash for new players, they were critical of Briley's failure to motivate players who looked conference standard earlier in the season.

Of the defence, only Steve Whitby showed any reluctance to lie down as Welling strolled through the Rebels in another lust-half debacle. Briley again tried a five man back-line, but they still conceded four goals before the break for the second league fixture running. The mediocre Rebels have now conceded 15 goals in their last three away games.

Welling's Danny Dichio, a loan signing from Queen's Part Rangers, helped himself to four goals from five goal efforts, taking advantage of some farcical defending. It took him thirteen minutes to open his account from Welling's first real attack. Reynolds beat Fiore to the by-line, and his cross was headed home at the near post by the unmarked Dichio.

Five minutes later, Robin-son's right wing cross was headed back by Reynolds, and Rutherford beat Peters to the volley. Bunting could only watch as the ball ballooned over him and into the net to make it 2-0.

It was a full half-hour before Williams in the Wings' net was called into action, saving with his legs from Sayer, who should have scored.

Welling were now content to draw Slough forward and expose gaps in the Slough rearguard, and when Manning's pass was intercepted, Finnan released Robbins, who burst clear and lobbed the stranded Bunting from twenty-five yards, the first time that Welling had scored more than two at home in a league fixture this season.

With a minute left before half-time, the ball was picked up by elder statesman Nigel Ransom, and the forty year-old defender set off on a run, tracked by Morrys Scott. Having outpaced the Slough man, Ransom ran fifty yards, before crossing to the far post for the unmarked Dichio to sidefoot home into an empty net.

Briley came off at half-time to be replaced by Steve Scott, and he stood in the dugout to watch a second half where some excellent attacking play was offset by some appaling defending.

Steve Scott headed narrowly wide with his first touch of the ball, from a Peters cross, as Slough showed commitment going forward which was sadly lacking at the back. The impressive Peters began to show the form which could see Brentford asking for him to return to the first team at Griffin Park. He teased Hone for most of the second half, and when he was brought down on the edge of the box, Sayer headed home from the resulting free kick.to reduce the arrears.

In Slough's next attack, Sayer saw another header flash wide from Fiore's cross. Another Fiore cross ended in Peters volleying over. Peters then shot just wide and had another shot well held by Williams before Welling restored their four-goal cushion. From a long clearance, Dichio ran through, held off a weak challenge from Dowson and fired low past Bunting for his hat-trick.

A minute later, Dichio made it six when Hazel fell under pressure and passed it straight to the QPR man, who beat Bunting with a cool finish.

Stanley replaced the ineffective Quamina, and it was his pass to Peters which should have produced a goal, but Williams stole the ball off Peters' toe as he looked certain to score. Peters finally received what his personal performance deserved when his shot was only parried to Sayer, who crossed back for him to finish the second time round, completing the scoring in the last minute.

As Slough trooped off in shame, this their sixth defeat in seven games, the Rebels' manager's position looked increasingly insecure. The Rebels are now only six points off the relegation zone, and Saturday's home game with Bromsgrove may just be Briley's last chance.