Oxford City
1
Charles (23)
Slough Town
1
Boot (73)
League
Attendance: 150
Michael Gilkes
The Rebels were left counting the cost of their profligacy as they had to settle for a draw after dominating proceedings. The hosts would have had few complaints if they had been soundly beaten as Slough dominated their opponents but failed to convert their chances.
In the end, Rebels were indebted to a 73rd minute mishit from Tony Boot to salvage a draw after Oxford had taken an undeserved lead. The first period wasn't much to write home about, enlivened only when Oxford took the lead after 23 minutes when a long ball from the back caught out the Rebels defence, allowing Jamie Charles to round Dominique Jean-Zepherin and slot into an empty net.
Rebels responded well and upped the tempo with a bout of pressure which saw Michael Gilkes curl a free kick just the wrong side of the post. Gilkes was at the heart of Rebels attacks and just before the interval, his cross found Anthony Howard who volleyed just off target. Rebels made a bright start to the second period and it set the tone for the remainder of the match as they carved out chance after chance.
Home keeper Benbow did well to turn a delicate Gilkes chip over the bar and the same player created an opening for Boot with a cross from the left but he headed over.
It was then the turn of Byron Bubb to become provider with several crosses that unfortunately, didn't get the final touch from both Boot and Sammy Winston. Oxford showed they still had ideas of sealing the game when Justin Lee got on the end of a free kick but his header was off target. Substitute Simon Patterson held off a challenge before firing wide and the on-loan striker should have brought Rebels level in the 70th minute. An attempted Oxford clearance hit Howard and fell into the path of Winston and although Benbow parried his shot, the ball fell invitingly to Patterson, who with an open goal in front of him, fired his shot over the top via the crossbar.
But Rebels weren't to be denied an equaliser and this came three minutes later when Gilkes beat two defenders and his low cross was scuffed by Boot to wrongfoot Benbow and trickle home from just five yards. Rebels now had the scent of victory and Ryan Spencer's header was saved by Benbow who denied the same player soon after with a tumbling save.
Another Rebels' sub, Steve Hale, underhit an attempted lob and Benbow was able to claim the ball and in the final minute, Patterson, turned neatly but fired his shot just the wrong side of the post with Benbow beaten. Rebels continued to press up to the final whistle but they were unable to find the winner that their performance deserved. But the point gleaned brought them closer to the top as leaders Northwood were going down 4-1 at home to Harlow.
In the end, Rebels were indebted to a 73rd minute mishit from Tony Boot to salvage a draw after Oxford had taken an undeserved lead. The first period wasn't much to write home about, enlivened only when Oxford took the lead after 23 minutes when a long ball from the back caught out the Rebels defence, allowing Jamie Charles to round Dominique Jean-Zepherin and slot into an empty net.
Rebels responded well and upped the tempo with a bout of pressure which saw Michael Gilkes curl a free kick just the wrong side of the post. Gilkes was at the heart of Rebels attacks and just before the interval, his cross found Anthony Howard who volleyed just off target. Rebels made a bright start to the second period and it set the tone for the remainder of the match as they carved out chance after chance.
Home keeper Benbow did well to turn a delicate Gilkes chip over the bar and the same player created an opening for Boot with a cross from the left but he headed over.
It was then the turn of Byron Bubb to become provider with several crosses that unfortunately, didn't get the final touch from both Boot and Sammy Winston. Oxford showed they still had ideas of sealing the game when Justin Lee got on the end of a free kick but his header was off target. Substitute Simon Patterson held off a challenge before firing wide and the on-loan striker should have brought Rebels level in the 70th minute. An attempted Oxford clearance hit Howard and fell into the path of Winston and although Benbow parried his shot, the ball fell invitingly to Patterson, who with an open goal in front of him, fired his shot over the top via the crossbar.
But Rebels weren't to be denied an equaliser and this came three minutes later when Gilkes beat two defenders and his low cross was scuffed by Boot to wrongfoot Benbow and trickle home from just five yards. Rebels now had the scent of victory and Ryan Spencer's header was saved by Benbow who denied the same player soon after with a tumbling save.
Another Rebels' sub, Steve Hale, underhit an attempted lob and Benbow was able to claim the ball and in the final minute, Patterson, turned neatly but fired his shot just the wrong side of the post with Benbow beaten. Rebels continued to press up to the final whistle but they were unable to find the winner that their performance deserved. But the point gleaned brought them closer to the top as leaders Northwood were going down 4-1 at home to Harlow.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Dominique Jean-Zephirin
- 2 Nick Gyoury
- 3 Antony Howard
- 4 Ricky Browne
- 5 Paul Barrowcliff
- 6 Veli Hakki
- 7 Byron Bubb
- 8 Ryan Spencer
- 9 Sammy Winston
- 10 Tony Boot
- 11 Michael Gilkes
Substitutes
- 12 Steve Hale
- 14 Adrian Browne
- 15 Christian Metcalfe
- 16 Simon Patterson
- 17 Adrian Blake