Rebels struggle past Flackwell

Slough Town fell behind at Flackwell, but came from behind to make progress in the Ryman League Cup.

In a quiet, evenly-matched first half encounter between Third Divison Flackwell Heath and Premier Division Slough, the 'Heathens' gave a good account of themselves, played to their strengths and never looked in awe of their opponents.

The first chance of the game fell to Jamie Lambert after nine minutes. A good run by Markman down the right wing was well spotted by Simpson, and Markman was able to get by his man and put in a good cross which was met by Lambert. Unfortunately for Slough, he could not direct his header and it went well over the bar.

The next chances both fell to Flackwell. The first was a cross over to the back post which picked out the run of Baker, but he narrowly missed the ball with his late run. Shortly after, Charles showed some good composure to turn inside Timothy, but placed his shot just wide of the far post with Murray beaten.

Slough regained the upper hand for the remainder of the half, without creating many chances. Dave Timothy was making some useful runs down the right, and after 29 minutes put in a useful ball toward the head of Lambert, who again could not direct his shot on target.

The last chance of the half fell to Hall of Flackwell when a corner was cleared by McPherson to him 25 yards out. His first time volleyed effort went well over the Slough goal.

Chris Allen put in another superb performance overall, and the second half was a much more lively affair than the first, with both teams looking to get forward and win the game.

The first chance of the half came from a mistake by Murray in the Slough goal, the keeper seemingly caught in two minds as he was throwing the ball out, instead dropping it at the feet of Watson - but Leon Townley was on hand to clear the ball to safety.

Slough gained the upper hand and created some very good chances, all coming from the runs of Chris Allen. His first cross to the back post was met by the late run of Rainford, whose lunging volley was saved well by the feet of Jackson in the Flackwell goal.

Two minutes later, another Allen cross to the back post was met by Deaner, but he could not direct his header and the ball went wide.

Flackwell then produced a real sucker punch to take a shock lead. A quick break by Godfrey saw him release the ball to Watson, who had broken through the offside trap, and he slotted the ball across the goal past Murray, leaving the debutant no chance.

Slough responded in the best possible way though and were back on level terms within two minutes. Another deep Allen cross was met by Rainford at the back post, but the effort was cleared off the line by Stone. The clearance fell to Simpson whose strongly hit volley was superbly blocked again, this time by Wojtowicz - but the ball fell to Lambert on the left wing, who knocked the ball back into the middle where Rainford was waiting to poke the ball home on the volley.

Just a minute after this, Charles had a good chance to put Flackwell back in front when he got on the end of a Godfrey cross, but his header was poor and went well wide.

Elliot was then able to go past two Slough defenders before pulling a great save out of Murray, diving low to his right to push the ball away for a corner.

Slough now began to control the game, and worked the ball through to Townley on the edge of the box. The defender though shot straight at Jackson before the ball was cleared.

But Slough went in front with six minutes remaining. An Allen free kick from the right wing to the back post was met by the run and leap of McPherson, and the defender steered the ball back across the goal and into the opposite corner of the net, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

With this Slough were comfortable and able to play out the remainder of the game, however in the last moments of the game, Chris Allen broke free with the ball down the left side of the pitch before being brought down in the area by Gledhill. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty which Mark Hall duly converted to seal the win.