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The National League U19 Alliance
6th
19pts

Light at the end of the Rebels tunnel

Farnborough Town

Farnborough Town

0
Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Rainford (24)
League Attendance: 730 David Rainford
Slough Town climbed to second place in the table away at Farnborough Town on Tuesday night — but had a scare after the floodlights failed on the hour when they were leading 1-0. Dave Rainford's 24th minute goal settled what was a scrappy encounter between two sides who are two of the favourites to take the Ryman League Premier Division title this season.

Farnborough, full of Football League names like Michael Warner, Steve Baker, Tim O'Shea, Keith Dublin, Robert Codner, and Martin Kuhl, showed little of the pre-season promise that many had expected. Instead they failed to get a grip on the game, as did the Rebels, but the home side managed to muddle together the best of the early chances.

First, Steve Watson, a player that Slough claimed to have signed preseason, had a speculative shot deflected over the bar on 14 minutes after a good move down the right. It was right wing back Steve Baker who shone for the home side and his great run and cross in the 23rd minute should have forced a goal. His cross was met by Darlington, who has already hit five goals from seven games this season, but despite being unmarked headed well wide. Slough's response was instant and emphatic as Youness Nabil pressured the Farnborough keeper, forcing him to spill the ball and leave Rainford with the easy job of sidefooting the ball into an empty net, just a minute after Darlington's effort.

Farnborough continued to create good chances and Darlington held his head in his hands once again when he fired over after 34 minutes. Two minutes later it was Watson who fired an awkward 20-yard volley wide of the Rebels goal.

Mark Hawthorne tried desperately to promote Slough's passing game in midfield, as did Paul Barrowcliff, and just before half-time Slough had two great chances to extend their lead. First, Al James Hannigan, pushed up for the corner, picked up the ball on the edge of the box and volleyed inches over the Farnborough bar. Hannigan almost turned into the villain as he handballed in the Slough penalty area, but the referee waved play on, to the anger of the home supporters and the Farnborough dug-out.

Right on half-time Slough should have doubled their lead when Nabil was sent through by David Adekola with just the keeper to beat. But instead of taking the early shot, Nabil tried to round the keeper and was embarrassingly tackled.

Hannigan went close again four minutes into the second half, heading a Hawthorne cross just over. There was a lull in the game for the next 10 minutes until Codner got to the byline and crossed superbly but both strikers failed to connect. Baker picked up the loose ball and fired a vicious first time shot which was well saved by Danny Honey.

Then, Cherrywood Road was covered in darkness as the floodlights failed with 64 minutes on the clock. An agonising delay of around 15 minutes followed for both sets of players, managers and supporters, before light was restored.

The home side appeared to benefit from the break in play as Watson blasted wide after being set up neatly by Darlington on 70 minutes. Slough played out an agonising last few minutes as the home side won a series of corners and then won a free-kick on the edge of the box after Graham Kemp fouled Watson. Kuhl struck a confident right foot shot which curled just wide of Honey's far post to give Slough a valuable three points.

Farnborough Town Lineup

Rebels

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