Basingstoke Town
0
Slough Town
2
Samuels (44), Endersby (0-2)
League
Unknown
Slough come away with three points from a dull encounter with Basingstoke, played on an awful Camrose pitch. It ended Stoke's undefeated league run at home, stretching ck 11 games, with their last home loss against St Albans on December 12.
The game never flowed and neither side seemed able to get a grip, with Basingstoke looking more likely to score. But Slough took their goals well after severe defensive errors by the home side.
Dean Samuels was Slough's most dangerous player throughout the first half and came close to scoring on several occasions. One shot from just inside the penalty area was blocked in the 20th minute, and six minutes later he shot just wide after some neat footwork.
Basingstoke had a spate of chances to go in front 30 minutes into the game. Rebels old boy Derek Simpson struck a 25-yard shot which saw Wilkerson, at full stretch, tip the ball over the bar.
However, as the first half came to an end, Slough found themselves in front. A long kick from Wilkerson was nudged beyond centre-back Steve Harris by Bryan Hammatt and Samuels was rewarded for his enterprise when he lobbed stranded goalkeeper Vince Mattasa.
In the second half, Pye, who was jeered throughout by Stoke fans for his tough tackling, was replaced by Lee Endersby, making a surprise return. Basingstoke began to press, with Simpson's long-range shot fumbled by Wilkerson and the same player's audacious bicycle kick flying over the crossbar.
Slough, with an unorthodox strikeforce of Endersby and Peirson, played to hang onto their lead and Basingstoke's poor attacks caused no real problems. And Slough finished the game by doubling their lead after lack-lustre defending, when Endersby was left one on one with the keeper and calmly rounded him before slotting home.
Manager Graham Roberts was disappointed with the condition of the pitch at Basingstoke on Saturday.
He said: "The pitch was awful. It was difficult to play good football on a pitch that was in such a disgraceful condition. It didn't help Basingstoke, though, because they like to pass the ball about.
We got under a bit of pressure in the first half, but we did get in some good crosses and played the ball around well. The second half, we soaked up the pressure and probed forward using the long ball.
I was pleased with the win but we should be doing that to most teams. Recently, the players have looked like they're just seeing the season out."
The game never flowed and neither side seemed able to get a grip, with Basingstoke looking more likely to score. But Slough took their goals well after severe defensive errors by the home side.
Dean Samuels was Slough's most dangerous player throughout the first half and came close to scoring on several occasions. One shot from just inside the penalty area was blocked in the 20th minute, and six minutes later he shot just wide after some neat footwork.
Basingstoke had a spate of chances to go in front 30 minutes into the game. Rebels old boy Derek Simpson struck a 25-yard shot which saw Wilkerson, at full stretch, tip the ball over the bar.
However, as the first half came to an end, Slough found themselves in front. A long kick from Wilkerson was nudged beyond centre-back Steve Harris by Bryan Hammatt and Samuels was rewarded for his enterprise when he lobbed stranded goalkeeper Vince Mattasa.
In the second half, Pye, who was jeered throughout by Stoke fans for his tough tackling, was replaced by Lee Endersby, making a surprise return. Basingstoke began to press, with Simpson's long-range shot fumbled by Wilkerson and the same player's audacious bicycle kick flying over the crossbar.
Slough, with an unorthodox strikeforce of Endersby and Peirson, played to hang onto their lead and Basingstoke's poor attacks caused no real problems. And Slough finished the game by doubling their lead after lack-lustre defending, when Endersby was left one on one with the keeper and calmly rounded him before slotting home.
Manager Graham Roberts was disappointed with the condition of the pitch at Basingstoke on Saturday.
He said: "The pitch was awful. It was difficult to play good football on a pitch that was in such a disgraceful condition. It didn't help Basingstoke, though, because they like to pass the ball about.
We got under a bit of pressure in the first half, but we did get in some good crosses and played the ball around well. The second half, we soaked up the pressure and probed forward using the long ball.
I was pleased with the win but we should be doing that to most teams. Recently, the players have looked like they're just seeing the season out."
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Paul Wilkerson
- 2 Micky Engwell
- 3 Steve Browne
- 4 Steve Daly
- 5 Simon Line
- 6 Graham Kemp
- 7 Mark Pye 12
- 8 Dean Samuels
- 9 Brian Hammatt
- 10 Eddie Denton
- 11 Chris White
Substitutes
- 12 Lee Endersby 7
- 14 Lee Francis
- 15 Richard Peirson