Heybridge Swifts
2
Gillespie (15), Lewis (80)
Slough Town
1
Hall (14)
League
Attendance: 242
Unknown
Slough lost on Saturday in a match which they dominated for long periods but were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Andrew Deaner. The striker received his third red card of the season when in the 37th minute he was sent crashing to the floor by Swifts' defender Colin Wall. Words were exchanged between the two players then, following some provocation from Wall with what looked like a spitting incident, Deaner boiled over in retaliation and head-butted Wall who made the most of it by dropping dramatically to the ground. The referee had little option but to show Deaner the way to the dressing room.
This disrupted what was a promising opening half-hour from Slough, who were running the show at that time. The Rebels attacked down both flanks and the partnership up front of Deaner and new signing Andy Douglas was looking promising. Douglas was giving the Heybridge defence plenty to think about as he twisted and turned and made several chances.
The Slough line-up was varied by manager Graham Roberts as he himself was missing at the back along with the injured Steve Daly. Richard Peirson joined Graham Kemp and Chris White as the rearguard. A surprise was to see Bryan Hammatt used in midfield.
Slough opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Mark Hall, when the little midfielder rose brilliantly above the taller defender Simpson and directed the ball over the keeper.
Slough's joy was short lived as Heybridge hit back immediately. As the Swifts attacked from the restart, Adam Gillespie let fly with a tremendous drive from 30 yards out which left Paul Wilkerson helpless as it sailed over him and into the net.
It was not the only time recently that Slough have been hit with a quick reply shortly after scoring and they will need to tighten up, their concentration after scoring goals if they are not to fall into that trap again. Certainly, Gillespie was not closed down on Saturday.
In the second half, Slough continued to have plenty of the play but could not find a way through. Gradually, Heybridge became stronger and were creating chances. They broke through for the winner on 80 minutes when Wilkerson was beaten by Lewis after he had twice saved in a goalmouth scramble.
One of the major influences of Heybridge's victory was their goalkeeper Kingsley Banks. His organising of his defenders was superb and, like the first match at Wexham Park, Slough had most of the game but it was Banks who made a difference.
This disrupted what was a promising opening half-hour from Slough, who were running the show at that time. The Rebels attacked down both flanks and the partnership up front of Deaner and new signing Andy Douglas was looking promising. Douglas was giving the Heybridge defence plenty to think about as he twisted and turned and made several chances.
The Slough line-up was varied by manager Graham Roberts as he himself was missing at the back along with the injured Steve Daly. Richard Peirson joined Graham Kemp and Chris White as the rearguard. A surprise was to see Bryan Hammatt used in midfield.
Slough opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Mark Hall, when the little midfielder rose brilliantly above the taller defender Simpson and directed the ball over the keeper.
Slough's joy was short lived as Heybridge hit back immediately. As the Swifts attacked from the restart, Adam Gillespie let fly with a tremendous drive from 30 yards out which left Paul Wilkerson helpless as it sailed over him and into the net.
It was not the only time recently that Slough have been hit with a quick reply shortly after scoring and they will need to tighten up, their concentration after scoring goals if they are not to fall into that trap again. Certainly, Gillespie was not closed down on Saturday.
In the second half, Slough continued to have plenty of the play but could not find a way through. Gradually, Heybridge became stronger and were creating chances. They broke through for the winner on 80 minutes when Wilkerson was beaten by Lewis after he had twice saved in a goalmouth scramble.
One of the major influences of Heybridge's victory was their goalkeeper Kingsley Banks. His organising of his defenders was superb and, like the first match at Wexham Park, Slough had most of the game but it was Banks who made a difference.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Micky Engwell
- 3 Richard Peirson
- 4 Brian Hammatt 14
- 5 Chris White
- 6 Lee Archer
- 7 Graham Kemp
- 8 Mark Hall
- 9 Andrew Deaner
- 10 Andy Douglas 12
- 11 Eddie Denton
Substitutes
- 12 Simon Quail 10
- 14 Dean Samuels 4
- 15 Steve Browne