Winston Double Sees Slough To Win

Two goals from Sammy Winston secured three vital points for the Rebels as we saw the Promotion race hot up. Winston was on the mark twice as Slough took three points in a rather poor game against East Thurrock United at Wexham Park.


Despite a Bitterly Disappointing performance Saturday Slough turned things around in a game that could see Slough step even closer to promotion. East Thurrock started the game sharply, Mark Cartlidge saw his effort saved by the Stretched Dom Jean Zepherin in the opening minute of the game. Danny Dafter had a headed effort saved moments later, a super run and cross from James Dwyer saw the ball drift into the box but Dafters headed effort was to weak and Zepherin picked out the ball with ease. Michael Gilkes had the first effort of the game for the Rebels, his effort was well struck from the edge of the box but was just wide of the mark. The resulting Goal kick was sliced and fell to the feet of Byron Bubb, His run and cross saw the ball fall perfectly to the foot of Tony Boot, but Mark Hardingham in the East Thurrock goal somehow saved his well-struck effort.
Michael Gilkes won a corner soon after, his cross in met the Head of Slough Captain Steve Daly, but once again Hardingham pulled off another scorching save. Ricky Browne found himself with the ball to his shock soon after, his half minded pass to Bubb was intercepted by Keith Martin but Zepherin got down to pull off a blinding one on one save with the East Thurrock no 9.

In the 25th minute, Dean Palmer was bought down in the alcove of the pitch after an amazing run from the Slough goal area. Michael Gilkes stepped up to take the free kick, which fell plumb to Winston’s head, he tucked his diving effort into the bottom right corner of the goal to put the home team one- nil up.

Byron Bubb’s effort was next in line for Slough. His curled effort somehow missing the target by the thinnest of margins. Ryan Williams was also sniffing for a goal moments later. He pulled the trigger from the edge of the box but Hardingham tipped the ball over the bar for a corner. Ryan Williams tried once again from the same spot in the 40th minute but once again his effort flew wide of the mark. East Thurrock had their best chance of the half in the dieing moments. Captain Mick Stanbrook’s corner met the head of Danny Vincent and after a goalmouth scramble Dean Palmer managed to launch the ball up field where Sammy Winston was waiting, but his stretched effort crept passed the stretched keeper and the post. The Last chance of the half came when Michael Gilkes’ corner met Winston’s head but once again, Hardingham was on hand to deny the inform Slough striker.

East Thurrock made two changes in the interval to try and turn things around, but Slough were hungry and didn’t have to wait long for Winston’s second.

Zepherin’s goal kick fell to the feet of Christian Metcalfe who held the ball until Boot was open and superbly tucked it through the gap. Boot found room through the Thurrock defence and his pass fell the feet of Winston who easily tucked in his second on the night and his 24th of the season.

Dean Palmer’s great run and cross mid way into the half met the head of Tony Boot who used his height but headed the ball over the bar. East Thurrock made their final change in the 70th minute, Bill Cove came on to replace Wayne Tomkins and it wasn’t long before he made his presence felt. Minutes after coming on, Cove pulled the trigger from the edge of the box but his powerful effort cracked the bar but fell into Zepherin’s hands.
Steve Browne bought on Wilkinson for Metcalfe soon after but East Thurrock refused to give up. Keith Martin shot just wide on a one on one effort and in the dieing moments of the game Danny Dafter drilled the ball from the edge of the box but the ball fell wide of the mark.

That was it in a very poor game of football. Slough picked up three points much to the relief of the 300 fans but is it enough to reach the second spot in the league?