Marlow
0
Slough Town
2
Bushay (22), West (35)
League
Attendance: 1055
Graham Roberts
Dave Russell made a triumphant return to his former club on Tuesday night, as he took his Rebels' side to Oak Tree Road, Marlow.
Like a thief in the night, Russell entered silently and without fuss and left three points richer following a display of conviction and competence that left former fans speechless.
Bringing in new boy Daniel Nwaokolo for Ian Hazel, but otherwise keeping with the same side which drew with Hendon on Saturday, Town looked an altogether more determined and capable team as they set about their task with vigour.
The electric atmosphere at Oak Tree Road only added to a highly-charged match between two fine footballing sides, and if Marlow saw most of the ball early on, it was Slough who created the best chances, epitomised by Baron's looping header on 15 minutes.
Slough never looked anything but the complete article, and their patient buildup play paid off on 22 minutes, as Roberts' scuffed shot trickled through to the excellent Bushay. The result was inevitable, and produced an all-engulfing roar from the travelling fans.
Slough moved with confidence, and were rarely troubled by a Marlow side lacking in ideas and meeting a Slough back-line which looked much more solid than during Saturday's draw.
Attack being the best form of defence, however, Mark West never stopped running for the Rebels and claimed his reward on 35 minutes by being able to bundle the ball over the line for a second goal.
Things began to turn a little nasty in the second period as Bushay stamped on a grounded former team-mate's head. He was substituted on 62 mins hut could not resist a parting kiss, blown to his former supporters.
As the Rebels relaxed, Bunting had to be alert, superbly parrying a Watkins shot. It was Roberts, however, who stole the show, marshalling his defence excellently and still finding time to charge up front. He is perhaps the shrewdest of Russell's purchases, and will be invaluable to him.
Catlin and Sayer both had late chances to score denied by Blues' keeper Mitchell, but Slough were happy to settle for a 2-0 win.
This was a remarkably assured performance by the Rebels, a testament not only to their undoubted ability, but also to Russell's motivational skills. It is too early to talk of promotion, hut Tuesday night's wave of euphoria could carry Slough back to the Conference on its own. Russell-mania has hit town.
Like a thief in the night, Russell entered silently and without fuss and left three points richer following a display of conviction and competence that left former fans speechless.
Bringing in new boy Daniel Nwaokolo for Ian Hazel, but otherwise keeping with the same side which drew with Hendon on Saturday, Town looked an altogether more determined and capable team as they set about their task with vigour.
The electric atmosphere at Oak Tree Road only added to a highly-charged match between two fine footballing sides, and if Marlow saw most of the ball early on, it was Slough who created the best chances, epitomised by Baron's looping header on 15 minutes.
Slough never looked anything but the complete article, and their patient buildup play paid off on 22 minutes, as Roberts' scuffed shot trickled through to the excellent Bushay. The result was inevitable, and produced an all-engulfing roar from the travelling fans.
Slough moved with confidence, and were rarely troubled by a Marlow side lacking in ideas and meeting a Slough back-line which looked much more solid than during Saturday's draw.
Attack being the best form of defence, however, Mark West never stopped running for the Rebels and claimed his reward on 35 minutes by being able to bundle the ball over the line for a second goal.
Things began to turn a little nasty in the second period as Bushay stamped on a grounded former team-mate's head. He was substituted on 62 mins hut could not resist a parting kiss, blown to his former supporters.
As the Rebels relaxed, Bunting had to be alert, superbly parrying a Watkins shot. It was Roberts, however, who stole the show, marshalling his defence excellently and still finding time to charge up front. He is perhaps the shrewdest of Russell's purchases, and will be invaluable to him.
Catlin and Sayer both had late chances to score denied by Blues' keeper Mitchell, but Slough were happy to settle for a 2-0 win.
This was a remarkably assured performance by the Rebels, a testament not only to their undoubted ability, but also to Russell's motivational skills. It is too early to talk of promotion, hut Tuesday night's wave of euphoria could carry Slough back to the Conference on its own. Russell-mania has hit town.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Andy Clement
- 3 Brian Lee
- 4 Steve Bateman
- 5 Trevor Baron
- 6 Graham Roberts
- 7 Neil Catlin
- 8 Danny Nwaokolo
- 9 Mark West 14
- 10 Andy Sayer
- 11 Ansil Bushay 12
Substitutes
- 12 Garfield Blackman 11
- 14 Ian Hazel 9