Second Half Comeback Secures Three Points

Two second-half goals gave Slough Town a vital and deserved victory against an in-form Northwood side at Wexham Park on Saturday. One goal was scored, and the other created by striker Neville Roach - returning to Wexham Park having played on loan for Slough from Reading for twelve matches in the 1998-99 season.

Although there was a lack of goal-mouth action in the first-half there was plenty of incident in an intriguing match which saw both sides looking to pass the ball around looking to create an opening. Slough's first real chance came after only ten minutes. A Michael Gilkes corner caused problems for Northwood goalkeeper Andy Feltham, the ball fell into the path of Michael Bartley who headed over the bar.

Shortly after Slough's effort on goal Northwood had a chance of their own. Steve Hale found space on the edge of the area. His pass found Northwood's much sort-after striker Lawrence Yaku, but his toe-poked effort went wide. Midway through the half Northwood defender Paul Watkins was lucky not to receive a red-card when he needlessly bundled Bartley into the advertising boards. Referee Mr Feeney only issued the centre-back with a yellow card when many other referees would have produced red.

On the stroke of half-time Northwood took the lead. Yaku held off Steve Stott's challenge on the edge of the area and played the ball into the path of Hale who saw his shot hit the back of the net. Slough could have replied almost immediately. Veli Hakki found himself free on the right, he crossed into the path of Bartley who saw his bullet header go inches past the post with Feltham beaten.

The away side had a good opportunity to double their lead shortly after the break. Captain Chris Gell played the ball into the path of Hale, but his shot from the edge of the area was straight at Gary McCann in the Slough goal. This seemed to spark the Rebels back into life as they had played poorly in the opening stages of this half.

They managed to equalise with thirty minutes remaining when Roach neatly turned his marker inside the penalty area. He fired the ball across goal and Watkins turned the ball into his own net. Just two minutes later Steve Browne's men could have gone in front. A Michael Gilkes cross was cleared by Andy Cook only to Bartley, who saw his goalbound shot vitally blocked by a Northwood defender.

The home side now had the impetus and looked the more likely of the two sides to score a winner, despite Northwood looking dangerous on the break with the pace of Hale and Yaku a danger.
Midfielder Mark Hawthorne nearly grabbed the all-important Slough second goal on seventy-two minutes. He received the ball from Darron Wilkinson in midfield and saw his 30-yard effort go inches past the post.

The Rebels did grab the all important second goal with twelve minutes remaining. A long ball from Gilkes put Roach clean through on goal. He took his time before carefully passed the ball into the net past Feltham. Northwood threw on top scorer Scott Fitzgerald in a last gasp attempt to grab an equaliser, but despite a lot of possession they could not find a way past the Slough defence with the excellent Steve Stott, and Captain Keith McPherson in particular limiting Northwood to only long range efforts which did not worry McCann.