Rebels' poor run continues

The Rebels run of defeats continued today, although with McPherson and Archer missing from the back line, and Hampton in the middle of a good spell of form, things were never going to be easy.

The Rebels were caught napping early on as a looping cross was met by the head of Holloway inside the Slough area, and his header rose over Honey and into the back post with the first attack of the game.

Slough fought back well, buoyed by the return of Chris Allen to the first team, and it was the ex-Stockport man who was causing the problems for Hampton. A left wing cross found Deaner in some space in the area, but the striker could not direct his header and the chance was gone.

Hampton had the next chance of the game when a back post corner was headed back across goal but the resulting shot from Maskell hit the side netting.

Chris Allen again provided the ammunition with his left foot as a free kick found it's way onto the head of Black, but the young midfielder's effort went straight at Hodson in the Hampton goal.

The impressive debutant Thompson, a recent acquisition from Beaconsfield SYCOB, put in a good cross from the right shortly after which was met with a strong header by Holsgrove, but the header lacked accuracy and went comfortably over.

Another Allen cross provided Slough with another chance after 33 minutes, as the ball fell to the feet of Black, but the effort lacked any power as Hodson saved comfortably.

Hampton's next chance of the game fell to Green as the midfielder ran from deep with the ball and was allowed to continue his run to just inside the Rebels box before hitting a low shot which Honey did well to get down and save.

Hampton came out for the second half, and seemed more than content to sit back on thier lead and hit Slough on the counter attack, but Slough failed to create enough clear chances to make all their second half possession count.

A looping cross from Steve Black on 55 minutes caused chaos for Hodson as the ball bounced in front of him and Thompson challenged legitmately as the keeper fumbled, but fortunately for Hampton Houghton was behind the keeper to hook the ball to safety.

Hampton's tactic of sucking Slough in before hitting them quickly on the break paid divideneds after sixty minutes when Maskell stole the ball from Allen before breaking through and putting in a good cross to the back post onto the head of Williams who finished well despite the best efforts of Honey to keep the ball out.

Slough continued to dominate the possession and create half chances, mainly from the supply of Allen who gave Houghton a torrid time at right back. After beating Houghton a back post cross from Allen, was met by another debutant, Garry Cross, but the full back's effort went back across the goal and wide. The referee, who was having a poor game, somehow decided to award a corner, even though the players had begun to take their positions for a goal kick. Stott took the corner which Hodson had to tip over under pressure from Thompson and Daly. Allen then had a go from the other wing to the back post, which was well met by Daly. As the ball travelled back across the goal Thompson deflected the ball toward the centre of teh goal but somehow the ball was hacked away by Fitter denying the Rebels a goal they deserved.

Hampton now began to come back into the game more strongly and began to create chances again. Maskell, who was impressive throughout, released Woodruff unselfishly in the dying minutes of the game, but found Honey unbeatable with two good blocks from the Rebels keeper.

Deep into injury time, Green again broke from deep and had an effort well saved by Honey. As the rebound fell to Woodruff with the Rebels keeper grounded, the new Beavers signing slid in to make contact with the ball but could not get any direction on it as he fired it high and wide.