Leek Town
0
Slough Town
2
Abbott (16)
Owusu (83)
League
Attendance: 565
Gary Abbott
A lightning strike from Gary Abbott set the Rebels up for their third Conference win in six outings on the road this season.
Abbott's 25th goal for the club - and one of his best - came in the 16th minute at Harrison Park on Saturday.
He sparked the move by spreading the ball wide to Gary Brazil on the left and then killed the return on his thigh at the edge of the area before volleying gloriously left footed into the top corner of the net.
A second goal from sub Lloyd Owusu, who headed home a Danny Bolt comer in the 83rd minute, sealed a well-earned win which left the Rebels with a run of seven games undefeated and only one goal conceded on the way.
League newcomers Leek made a bright start, playing some neat constructive football but lacking an incisive finish.
They managed, however, to run the midfield through Ray Walker and Dean Cunningham while Slough, still relying on the long ball, created nothing worthwhile in that department.
Danny Bailey remains the latest in a series of highly rated players who have failed to secure control for the Rebels in that vital area of play. A lack of grip here too often provides a springboard for the Rebels' opposition to launch offensives.
But stalwart defending from Cliff Hercules and Terry Angus - producing his best game by far - and some confident goalkeeping from Paul Wilkerson, kept Leek at bay.
Slough had several chances to increase their lead in the first half but Bolt, fed by Abbott, saw a shot after 23 minutes smothered at the last moment while Abbott had another cleared off line two minutes later.
But two superb pieces of work from Wilkerson, saving at the foot of the post from Martin Filson and diving to divert Hugh McAuley's close range shot, saw the Rebels take their lead into the break.
Leek almost levelled in the 51st minute after Bailey had lost the ball, Stuart Leicester's crossing for McAuley who headed over the bar. A minute later Corey Browne tried to go past one player too many and, with Abbott free to his left, lost the ball.
He was to waste other chances along with Bolt and Owusu who, when put clear by Bailey in the 75th minute, hit his shot straight at the keeper.
But the young Rebel found the target seven minutes from time, when heading home unchallenged from a set piece. The result moved the Rebels into the top 10 for the first time this season.
Abbott's 25th goal for the club - and one of his best - came in the 16th minute at Harrison Park on Saturday.
He sparked the move by spreading the ball wide to Gary Brazil on the left and then killed the return on his thigh at the edge of the area before volleying gloriously left footed into the top corner of the net.
A second goal from sub Lloyd Owusu, who headed home a Danny Bolt comer in the 83rd minute, sealed a well-earned win which left the Rebels with a run of seven games undefeated and only one goal conceded on the way.
League newcomers Leek made a bright start, playing some neat constructive football but lacking an incisive finish.
They managed, however, to run the midfield through Ray Walker and Dean Cunningham while Slough, still relying on the long ball, created nothing worthwhile in that department.
Danny Bailey remains the latest in a series of highly rated players who have failed to secure control for the Rebels in that vital area of play. A lack of grip here too often provides a springboard for the Rebels' opposition to launch offensives.
But stalwart defending from Cliff Hercules and Terry Angus - producing his best game by far - and some confident goalkeeping from Paul Wilkerson, kept Leek at bay.
Slough had several chances to increase their lead in the first half but Bolt, fed by Abbott, saw a shot after 23 minutes smothered at the last moment while Abbott had another cleared off line two minutes later.
But two superb pieces of work from Wilkerson, saving at the foot of the post from Martin Filson and diving to divert Hugh McAuley's close range shot, saw the Rebels take their lead into the break.
Leek almost levelled in the 51st minute after Bailey had lost the ball, Stuart Leicester's crossing for McAuley who headed over the bar. A minute later Corey Browne tried to go past one player too many and, with Abbott free to his left, lost the ball.
He was to waste other chances along with Bolt and Owusu who, when put clear by Bailey in the 75th minute, hit his shot straight at the keeper.
But the young Rebel found the target seven minutes from time, when heading home unchallenged from a set piece. The result moved the Rebels into the top 10 for the first time this season.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Garry Smart
- 3 Paul Hardyman
- 4 Matt Stowell
- 5 Cliff Hercules
- 6 Terry Angus
- 7 Danny Bailey
- 8 Corey Browne
- 9 Gary Brazil
- 10 Gary Abbott
- 11 Danny Bolt
Substitutes
- 12 Mark Fiore
- 14 Lloyd Owusu
- 15 Derek Simpson
Leek Town Lineup
Knowles, Beeby, Hawtin, Walker, Cunningham, Callan, McAuley (Hawkes 75), Tobin, Diskin, Filson, Leicster.