Below par Rebels fall to Boro defeat

Slough Town produced their worst performance of the season in front of a crowd of just over 200 at Wexham Park Stadium tonight, losing to Harrow Borough.

Slough had hoped to gain three vital league points tonight against their local rivals Harrow, but two costly mistakes cost the home side dear.

In actual fact though Slough started the game brightly and looked dangerous in the opening five minutes. They nearly had a great start to the match when Kemp's long ball was flicked on by Rainford for Coombs. The former Purfleet striker, making his home debut, saw his volley saved by Hook at the near post.

Then with Harrow's first attack Xavier gave the visitors the lead after defensive errors which you hardly see at Sunday League games, let alone Ryman Premier League games. Lewis played a long ball to the dangerous Xavier which was just too far for the striker. Kemp got to the ball first, but only managed to kick the ball high into the air. Mautone went to catch the ball under no pressure, but dropped it and Xavier tapped the ball into a open net.

Slough almost equalised two minutes later though. Barrowcliff bundled the ball through to Hall, who squeezed past two defenders. He laid the ball back to Holsgrove on the edge of the area. The midfielder, though, saw his low shot expertly diverted for a corner by Hook in the Harrow goal.

From the resultant corner Hall crossed the ball into the box, after a brief scramble the ball fell to Rainford, who saw his shot again brilliantly saved by Hook with his feet.

On 18 minutes Slough nearly conceded another comical goal. Mautone and Kemp collided with each other on the edge of the box, and the ball fell to Roberts, who somehow contrived to miss an open goal with Mautone and Kemp floored.

Slough did not learn from this mistake though because three minutes later Kemp tried to let a ball run out of play for a goal-kick. He was hustled off the ball by Roberts, who crossed the ball onto the head of Xavier who could not miss from two yards out.

Slough were their own worst enemy and had a two deficit to make up with not even half an hour gone. Indeed Slough nearly did concede goals again soon after. Half chances from the edge of the area fell to both Lund and the hard working Roberts, but neither could take their chances.

Then the Rebels suddenly got back into the game after 32 minutes. Kemp played a free kick from the left which fell to Rainford, who produced a inch perfect cross onto the head of debutant Black and the former Havant player pulled one back for Slough.

Just before half time Harrow nearly restored their two goal advantage. Payne found space free on the left wing. He carried the ball into the box and pulled the ball back for Gavin, but his first time effort was pushed round the post by Mautone.

The Rebels, who were clearly lacking confidence, started the second half slowly, and Borough had a couple of early opportunities to add to their lead.

Firstly Gavin played a good through ball to Rose, who saw his shot sail over the bar from a good angle, then Payne saw his goalbound shot blocked by Daly.

Slough then suddenly came into the game in the second half. Their first opportunity fell to Coombs after a Rainford cross, but he could only divert his header over the bar.

Coombs had an opportunity again soon after after a Archer cross, but Harrow's Keeper Hook managed to get to the ball first.

At this stage of the match the Rebels were struggling to create clear cut chances because Cooper was magnificent at the back for Harrow. As Slough were pushing forward hoping to create chances for an equaliser gaps were left at the back and Harrow started to exploit these gaps. They had excellent chances when both Gavin and Lewis should have done better with clear headers and then Xavier again had two chances to get his hat trick. His first effort was well saved Mautone and his second effort drifted inches past the post.

When Slough did have efforts on goal most came from their best player; Dave Rainford. He had a 35 yard shot which was well held by Hook and then shortly after saw his header turned round the post by Hook.

Rainford was involved again with Slough's last chance to equalise. He played a clever free kick with Archer, whose shot was pushed round the post again by Hook for a corner as Slough were denied an equaliser.