Slough Town
1
Baron (44)
Dulwich Hamlet
1
Lillington (78)
League
Attendance: 956
Martin Stone
It's a funny old game. There was every indication on Saturday that the Rebels are beginning to settle into some sort of pattern. All the signs were there...controlled defence, composed attack, a good Trevor Baron goal and an all-round disciplined performance.
In a complete turnaround, however, to earlier matches, it was the result and not the performance which was lacking, as Slough were robbed of victory late-on.
Neither side offered much in the early forays, and entertainment for the bulging young crowd was provided mainly by Roberts' ill-advised head-first ram-raid challenges and Ansil Bushay's lively, darting runs.
Stone and Richardon's endeavour on the wings conjured up openings for West and Bushay, but nothing concrete was delivered, Lee solidifying the backline sufficiently to allow only a couple of momentary worries for Slough fans.
Catlin raced onto a West flick-on on 18 minutes, but his volley dipped over the bar. Small periods of concentrated Rebels pressure began to emerge, punctuated by breakaways from the lowly Hamlet.
Catlin picked up his fourth caution of the season on 27 minutes to add another load to Dave Russell's mind, before Bunting had to come charging out of his goal to stop a terrier-like Lillington.
As the half drew to a close, the pace slowed and chances became less regular. The determined Stone, surely the best by far of the promoted reserve players, drove just wide of the post.
Just as the half was in its death throes, Slough hit the target. As the ball was drilled across the goal from a corner, Baron stooped low to head home a typical centre-half's goal. The lad done great.
The second period began on a flurry of corners, as the Rebels showed the confidence to sustain the pressure which almost brought a goal on the hour as Bushay's slide narrowly missed the ball as it whizzed across the face of goal.
Comfortable was the key word here, although in the light of later developments, the word complacent could spring to mind. The Rebels never tried too hard, but never fell into the common trap of sitting back and asking to concede a goal, even when Bunting produced the sort of bizarre miskick which writes its own headlines.
Which is why the crowd was stunned on 78 minutes, as the offside trap was sprung and Lillington was left to tap in on the goal-line. If the goal was scrappy, the celebration was spectacular, as the striker stage-dived into the assembled Dulwich fans. Still, it's only a game. We were gutted, though.
Richardson attempted to make immediate amends with a determined shot which unfortunately struck the goalkeeper, but Slough had to start all over again.
Inevitably, despite fine vocal support from the deafening school choir in the stands, and valiant efforts from Bushay, Catlin, Baron and substitute Blackman, the Rebels conceded two points. Sick as a parrot.
Quite what effect all this will have on the Rebels' season is unclear - hopefully it will act as a spur to Slough as they aim for the Conference. At its worst, this sort of frustration could wreak a season. You never can tell in this game.
In a complete turnaround, however, to earlier matches, it was the result and not the performance which was lacking, as Slough were robbed of victory late-on.
Neither side offered much in the early forays, and entertainment for the bulging young crowd was provided mainly by Roberts' ill-advised head-first ram-raid challenges and Ansil Bushay's lively, darting runs.
Stone and Richardon's endeavour on the wings conjured up openings for West and Bushay, but nothing concrete was delivered, Lee solidifying the backline sufficiently to allow only a couple of momentary worries for Slough fans.
Catlin raced onto a West flick-on on 18 minutes, but his volley dipped over the bar. Small periods of concentrated Rebels pressure began to emerge, punctuated by breakaways from the lowly Hamlet.
Catlin picked up his fourth caution of the season on 27 minutes to add another load to Dave Russell's mind, before Bunting had to come charging out of his goal to stop a terrier-like Lillington.
As the half drew to a close, the pace slowed and chances became less regular. The determined Stone, surely the best by far of the promoted reserve players, drove just wide of the post.
Just as the half was in its death throes, Slough hit the target. As the ball was drilled across the goal from a corner, Baron stooped low to head home a typical centre-half's goal. The lad done great.
The second period began on a flurry of corners, as the Rebels showed the confidence to sustain the pressure which almost brought a goal on the hour as Bushay's slide narrowly missed the ball as it whizzed across the face of goal.
Comfortable was the key word here, although in the light of later developments, the word complacent could spring to mind. The Rebels never tried too hard, but never fell into the common trap of sitting back and asking to concede a goal, even when Bunting produced the sort of bizarre miskick which writes its own headlines.
Which is why the crowd was stunned on 78 minutes, as the offside trap was sprung and Lillington was left to tap in on the goal-line. If the goal was scrappy, the celebration was spectacular, as the striker stage-dived into the assembled Dulwich fans. Still, it's only a game. We were gutted, though.
Richardson attempted to make immediate amends with a determined shot which unfortunately struck the goalkeeper, but Slough had to start all over again.
Inevitably, despite fine vocal support from the deafening school choir in the stands, and valiant efforts from Bushay, Catlin, Baron and substitute Blackman, the Rebels conceded two points. Sick as a parrot.
Quite what effect all this will have on the Rebels' season is unclear - hopefully it will act as a spur to Slough as they aim for the Conference. At its worst, this sort of frustration could wreak a season. You never can tell in this game.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Andy Clement
- 3 Brian Lee
- 4 Steve Bateman 14
- 5 Trevor Baron
- 6 Graham Roberts
- 7 Neil Catlin
- 8 John Richardson
- 9 Mark West
- 10 Martin Stone 12
- 11 Ansil Bushay
Substitutes
- 12 Garfield Blackman 10
- 14 Tony Dell 4
- 15 Delroy Preddie