Woking
2
Walker (29), Taylor (56)
Slough Town
0
League
Attendance: 3208
Unknown
Woking's veteran play-maker and FA Cup hero Clive Walker was Slough's chief tormentor as the Rebels crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Kingfield.
The 39-year-old former Chelsea star scored the first with an impudent lob, and set up the second following an astonishing piece of ball control and a fine cross.
Brian McDermott's injury-hit squad was stretched even further due to the suspensions of Cliff Hercules and Garry Smart. But although Woking in the end deserved their win and worked hard to keep Slough out, there were encouraging signs in the second-half when young substitutes Grant Eaton and Gavin Mernagh were at the centre of some good moves that could have produced at least a consolation goal.
Walker gave warning that this would be his day as early as the second minute when he netted Shane Wye's cross, only to be denied by the linesman's flag.
His corner in the 11th minute was headed goalwards by Junior Hunter, but cleared off the line by Mark Fiore and the follow-up was wasted.
But Walker made no mistake in the 29th minute when a long ball and a moment of madness by Slough's young goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson gave him the opening goal. Wilkerson, as he had done at Stevenage two days earlier, came racing out of the area, but was beaten to the ball by Walker, whose assured touch sent the ball looping over the stranded keeper and dipping just below the crossbar.
Woking nearly added the second two minutes later when Wilkerson's miscued goal kick went straight to Walker. He touched it off to Scott Steele. but Steele's shot ran wide.
Wilkerson found himself the target of abuse from the home fans for his mistake and his wayward kicking - not helped by the icy conditions - but answered them with two good saves from Steve Thompson and Scott Steele.
Slough had been under pressure throughout the first half, and although they looked ready to fight back in the second, they were taken apart by a beautifully weighted crossfield pass from Thompson that split the defence and set up the second goal in the 56th minute. The ball was hit to Walker on the left. who showed amazing control on the slippery pitch to bring it down and cross for Robin Taylor. Taylor sent the ball looping over Wilkerson's head and into the net.
Slough seemed to pick up after the second goal, with substitutes Grant Eaton, brought on for Simpson at halftime, and Gavin Mernagh. who replaced Michael Murphy just after the hour-mark looking sharp.
The two teenagers moved the ball and ran well. teaming up with Gary Blackford and Gary Abbott and producing some of Slough's best moves of the game.
They could never find a way through and in the end it was a disappointing defeat. but Woking were good value for their win, and if their is any encouragement to be found for McDermott it is in the performance of the two young substitutes,
The 39-year-old former Chelsea star scored the first with an impudent lob, and set up the second following an astonishing piece of ball control and a fine cross.
Brian McDermott's injury-hit squad was stretched even further due to the suspensions of Cliff Hercules and Garry Smart. But although Woking in the end deserved their win and worked hard to keep Slough out, there were encouraging signs in the second-half when young substitutes Grant Eaton and Gavin Mernagh were at the centre of some good moves that could have produced at least a consolation goal.
Walker gave warning that this would be his day as early as the second minute when he netted Shane Wye's cross, only to be denied by the linesman's flag.
His corner in the 11th minute was headed goalwards by Junior Hunter, but cleared off the line by Mark Fiore and the follow-up was wasted.
But Walker made no mistake in the 29th minute when a long ball and a moment of madness by Slough's young goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson gave him the opening goal. Wilkerson, as he had done at Stevenage two days earlier, came racing out of the area, but was beaten to the ball by Walker, whose assured touch sent the ball looping over the stranded keeper and dipping just below the crossbar.
Woking nearly added the second two minutes later when Wilkerson's miscued goal kick went straight to Walker. He touched it off to Scott Steele. but Steele's shot ran wide.
Wilkerson found himself the target of abuse from the home fans for his mistake and his wayward kicking - not helped by the icy conditions - but answered them with two good saves from Steve Thompson and Scott Steele.
Slough had been under pressure throughout the first half, and although they looked ready to fight back in the second, they were taken apart by a beautifully weighted crossfield pass from Thompson that split the defence and set up the second goal in the 56th minute. The ball was hit to Walker on the left. who showed amazing control on the slippery pitch to bring it down and cross for Robin Taylor. Taylor sent the ball looping over Wilkerson's head and into the net.
Slough seemed to pick up after the second goal, with substitutes Grant Eaton, brought on for Simpson at halftime, and Gavin Mernagh. who replaced Michael Murphy just after the hour-mark looking sharp.
The two teenagers moved the ball and ran well. teaming up with Gary Blackford and Gary Abbott and producing some of Slough's best moves of the game.
They could never find a way through and in the end it was a disappointing defeat. but Woking were good value for their win, and if their is any encouragement to be found for McDermott it is in the performance of the two young substitutes,
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Gary Blackford
- 3 Gary McGinnis
- 4 Steve Bateman
- 5 Andy Clement
- 6 Robert Smith
- 7 Mark Fiore
- 8 Simon Stapleton
- 9 Michael Murphy 14
- 10 Gary Abbott
- 11 Derek Simpson 12
Substitutes
- 12 Grant Eaton 11
- 14 Gavin Mernagh 9
- 15 Alan Paris