Rebels Hit Five

Slough Town romped to a mammoth 5-1 victory over Banstead Athletic at Stag Meadow to collect all 3 points and complete their 7th league victory of the season. However after the gutsy show we saw from the boys at Lewes, this performance was far from extraordinary despite what the score-line may suggest.

Injuries and absentees continued to plague the Slough staring starting line-up, Boot, Daly, Hyatt and Steer were all missing so Michael Murphy was handed his first league start at the centre of defence and Nick Gyoury was elected to fulfil captain duties once again.

At an un-atmospheric Stag Meadow the young Banstead team started well and gave the Rebels a scare or two early on. After a exquisite one-two with Knight, Banstead striker Webb saw his fierce shot cleared off the line by Michael Murphy to go out for a corner. The curling Finny corner met the head of Webb but his impressive effort was met by an equally dramatic flying save from Alan Foster, and the possession was back with Slough.

After Banstead’s impressive start there midfield was amazingly disintegrating before Sloughs very own eyes and it was only a matter of time before The Rebels punished the Surrey side. Alex Haddow whipped in a luscious cross only for Nick Gyoury to head the ball over the bar. The warning signs were there for Banstead but they seemed to be too busy working out where they were supposed to be standing to even notice. Ryan Spencer was fouled near the edge of the area and Alex Haddow stepped up, he delivered another sublime free-kick however this time the move was successfully completed as Ian Hodge blasted the ball past the keeper and the Banstead defence were left in disarray.

Two minutes later Slough had a great chance to double there lead, a Banstead hand ball on the edge of the area allowed Slough to proceed with the quick free kick, it was a nice move in theory however the initial ball from Wilkinson was just too quick for Haddow to connect with and the chance was lost.

On the quarter hour mark Slough showed off a dazzling training ground move, a succession of quick passes between Barrowcliff, Hodge and Haddow left The Bannstead defence in a daze, however the final strike from Haddow flew viciously over the bar - what a goal it would have been.

Probably having his best match in a Slough shirt, Glen Harris swept past two defenders and done well to win a corner after being closed down near the corner flag. Haddow banged the corner in to the box for Gyoury to head the ball down, Miller, Hodge and of course Gyoury could of all scored however the ball was scrambled of the line by flustered Banstead defender.

Slough continued to apply the pressure and it was not going to be long before Banstead once again buckled under it. Alex Haddow had another chance but the ball went zooming past the post, Haddow continued his good form with a precise and courageous tackle Roy Keane would have been proud of, however I don’t think the crumpled Banstead player would of seen it like that.

Just before half time Matt Miller ran through the defence, the initial shot was cleared of the line, the ball was booted out of the area but only as far as Glen Harris, a quick touch allowed him into space and his powerful shot was unstoppable, the ball went shooting past the goalkeeper for Harris to score his first goal in an amber shirt.

On the stroke of half time Wilkinson scouted out Harris, he was once again left enough space to shoot, and the post was the balls only destination before it slumped into the back of the net, Harris had netted a second within the space of four minutes and Slough had wrapped the game up before half time.

So Banstead are 3 nil down, it can only get better? Wrong! No sooner than the referee restarts the match after the break Banstead lose the ball in midfield, this allows Ryan Spencer to cross into the area, the Banstead keeper Langford comes out to make a simple catch but he fumbles it and Haddow is left with the simple tap in.

Slough have the game won and decide to slip down the third gear, this allows Banstead to go into attack. Finny finds space and slips past Murphy, fortunately for Alan Foster the shot was way of target. Two minutes later Knights close range shot beats Foster, however Murphy, on the goal line, has the situation in hand as he clears the potential danger.

Banstead seemed to come alive as Finny ran down the wing, he whipped the ball into the Slough penalty area and up popped up an undefended Knight, the header went flying past a stranded Foster. Banstead had got one back and Foster was left to wake up his defence. Slough were in trouble again but this time the defence had learnt there lesson and captain Gyoury made another vital goal line clearance.

Denton decided to freshen things up, Miller and Gyoury gave way for Browne and Deaner. Darron Wilkinson saw his powerful 30 yard strike saved by the legs of Banstead keeper Langford and Hodge couldn’t make the rebound. Ryan Spencer was left isolated and un-marked, so when the ball arrived at his feet he made the run towards goal, he was one on one with the keeper and made it look easy, 5-1

Even though Slough won comprehensively there is still cause for concern. Make no doubt about it the opposition were very poor and on another night Banstead still could of scored 3 or 4 goals. If Slough can only raise there game for big matches like Lewes we have no chance of making it into the top 6.

Slough face another big test on Sunday when Bishop’s Stortford travel to Stag Meadow in the F.A Trophy. A good cup run will do us no harm and with the potential return of Tony Boot who knows what’s in store for the Rebels?