Aylesbury United
3
Bashir (29), Hayward (86), Williams (88)
Slough Town
3
West (23, 60), Bateman (50)
League
Attendance: 1303
Mark West
The Rebels really must have been kicking themselves on Tuesday night, as the Diadora League's experimental ruling helped Aylesbury rob them or a thoroughly deserved three points.
With four minutes left on the clock, Slough were coasting to a 3-1 win but their defence caved in under mounting pressure arid two identical goals, courtesy of the controversial kick-in ruling, gave the Ducks a share of the points.
"We used this ridiculous rule to stunning effect" crowed home manager Steve Ketteridge after the game. "Slough are one of the top sides in the division arid we must be pleased to get a point. We didn't play like we can all night, but showed a lot of character."
Without former Rebel Allan Pluckrose, withdrawn by the RAF, it was replacement Lee Harvey who provided most of the worries for the visitors' defence, forcing Bunting to tip a curling cross over early-on. But thereafter the home side took a backseat as Slough took control with 'keeper O'Reilly smothering an Ansil Bushay effort and Mark West just failing to get on the end of a Dave Lay cross.
On 18 minutes, it was United who came close to breaking the deadlock. A pass by Hobbs rebounded off Steve Bateman into the path of Barrowcliff, his low angled shot trilling inches wide. But the Rebels hit back and took the lead after 23 minutes. Bushay's far post cross found West, who headed powerfully into the net.
Six minutes later, though. and United were hack on level terms as Naseem Bashir capitalised on slack marking and dived bravely in to head a Harvey cross past Bunting.
Just before the break, Bushay teed up Lay, but his 18-yard rising drive flew over the top, and as the half ended, Slough produced the best move of the match. Delightful play involving Catlin. Bushay, West and Blackman resulted in West hooking the ball just over.
Barry Rake came on for the ineffective Blackman at half-time, marking his debut in a Rebels shirt with some fine wing play that caused United problems in the second half.
After 50 minutes, the visitors restored their lead - Harvey cleared a Lay corner, but Bateman's return bullet header gave O'Reilly no chance, a rare goal from a player so many had written off.
Ten minutes later and it was 3-1. Rake put in a hard low cross and West clipped the ball home from an acute angle in a vintage goal To rub salt into Aylesbury's wounds, he cheekily produced his own version of the Ducks' FA Cup walk, to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Bunting was called into action after 63 minutes and did well to palm out a Barrowcliff chip. On 69 minutes. Rake provided Bushay with a chance, but O'Reilly got down to save, while at the other end, Danzey had the space and time to score but shot straight into Bunting's midriff.
Aylesbury brought on two substitute strikers in an attempt to get back into the hunt, but competent Rebels defending nullified any threat. That was until the 86th minute.
The ball went out for a touchline throw, but Harvey elected to kick in. After every player bar the kicker and goalkeeper had strode into the Rebels' box, the kick found tall defender Matt Hayward and his header flew past Bunting.
Two minutes later. they got another throw or kick-in near the corner flag. Harvey again chose to kick, and a Dean Williams near-post header denied Slough the three points and completed an unlikely comeback.
With four minutes left on the clock, Slough were coasting to a 3-1 win but their defence caved in under mounting pressure arid two identical goals, courtesy of the controversial kick-in ruling, gave the Ducks a share of the points.
"We used this ridiculous rule to stunning effect" crowed home manager Steve Ketteridge after the game. "Slough are one of the top sides in the division arid we must be pleased to get a point. We didn't play like we can all night, but showed a lot of character."
Without former Rebel Allan Pluckrose, withdrawn by the RAF, it was replacement Lee Harvey who provided most of the worries for the visitors' defence, forcing Bunting to tip a curling cross over early-on. But thereafter the home side took a backseat as Slough took control with 'keeper O'Reilly smothering an Ansil Bushay effort and Mark West just failing to get on the end of a Dave Lay cross.
On 18 minutes, it was United who came close to breaking the deadlock. A pass by Hobbs rebounded off Steve Bateman into the path of Barrowcliff, his low angled shot trilling inches wide. But the Rebels hit back and took the lead after 23 minutes. Bushay's far post cross found West, who headed powerfully into the net.
Six minutes later, though. and United were hack on level terms as Naseem Bashir capitalised on slack marking and dived bravely in to head a Harvey cross past Bunting.
Just before the break, Bushay teed up Lay, but his 18-yard rising drive flew over the top, and as the half ended, Slough produced the best move of the match. Delightful play involving Catlin. Bushay, West and Blackman resulted in West hooking the ball just over.
Barry Rake came on for the ineffective Blackman at half-time, marking his debut in a Rebels shirt with some fine wing play that caused United problems in the second half.
After 50 minutes, the visitors restored their lead - Harvey cleared a Lay corner, but Bateman's return bullet header gave O'Reilly no chance, a rare goal from a player so many had written off.
Ten minutes later and it was 3-1. Rake put in a hard low cross and West clipped the ball home from an acute angle in a vintage goal To rub salt into Aylesbury's wounds, he cheekily produced his own version of the Ducks' FA Cup walk, to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Bunting was called into action after 63 minutes and did well to palm out a Barrowcliff chip. On 69 minutes. Rake provided Bushay with a chance, but O'Reilly got down to save, while at the other end, Danzey had the space and time to score but shot straight into Bunting's midriff.
Aylesbury brought on two substitute strikers in an attempt to get back into the hunt, but competent Rebels defending nullified any threat. That was until the 86th minute.
The ball went out for a touchline throw, but Harvey elected to kick in. After every player bar the kicker and goalkeeper had strode into the Rebels' box, the kick found tall defender Matt Hayward and his header flew past Bunting.
Two minutes later. they got another throw or kick-in near the corner flag. Harvey again chose to kick, and a Dean Williams near-post header denied Slough the three points and completed an unlikely comeback.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Trevor Bunting
- 2 Danny Nwaokolo
- 3 Brian Lee
- 4 Steve Bateman
- 5 Trevor Baron
- 6 Dave Lay
- 7 Neil Catlin
- 8 Andy Sayer 12
- 9 Mark West
- 10 Garfield Blackman 14
- 11 Ansil Bushay
Substitutes
- 12 Tony Dell 8
- 14 Barry Rake 10