Slough see off Cheshunt with ease

After the impressive 4-0 thumping of Eastleigh last week, Slough returned to familiar surroundings to play Cheshunt, who only two weeks ago Slough beat in the Bryco Cup.

Slough manager Eddie Denton was forced to make changes from the previous week, Michael Murphy missing out through suspension with Matt Murphy taking his place in the team, and Ian Hodges dropping to centre back.

It was the visitors who could have easily struck an early lead. December player of the month James Saulsbury lost the ball on the edge of the box to Thomas Morgan, who then turned easily past Saulsbury but Michael Parkin was quickly off his line to deal with the threat.

Matt Murphy made fun of returning centre back Nick Gyoury early on, Murphy using skill and experience to take the ball round Gyoury, and crossing for Matt Seedel, whose header was saved by Keeper Kaelli.

It wasn’t long before Kaelli was tested again. Christian Metcalfe chipped a lovely ball into the area, Matt Murphy rose to meet it but Kaelli denied the striker at full stretch.

After scoring a hat trick last week, Alex Haddow was doing much to impress again this week. Haddow’s quick feet and movement made him the danger man and was bought down on the edge of the area. Haddow’s free kick fell to Seedel’s head, but the striker stayed flat-footed and headed the ball well over the bar.

Cheshunt started to cause problems mid way through the first half; Morgan was again causing Slough’s back three problems, this time his run down the wing and cross put pressure on the back line, but the ball rolled out of play with no away shirts being visible in the Slough penalty area.

Rob Heiten shot from the edge of the area moments later, but his effort was covered by Parkin who watched the ball roll out of play.

But this was as good as it got for the visitors; Slough then mounted serious pressure in the dying minutes of the first period. Ryan Spencer created something from nothing when he used his vision to pick out Glen Harris, but Harris was off balance and his shot flew well wide of the mark.

However Slough did manage to break the deadlock just on the stroke of half time. Murphy held up the ball well on the edge of the Cheshunt area, and then laid the ball out to Carbon who sliced his effort on goal. Alex Haddow was on hand to collect the ball and soon spotted Murphy in space who unleashed a screamer, which flew into the roof of the net. The Rebels led at the interval, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Slough continued to dominate after the break and could have added to the lead on a number of occasions. The first of these saw great play between Haddow and Murphy. Haddow’s cross was knocked out for a corner from which Murphy headed past the keeper - but Ross White cleared off the line.

The best chance came soon after. Matt Seedel found Josias Carbon on the far wing, Carbon held the ball well and his cross met Haddow, who chased down the ball and volleyed the ball towards goal. Harris picked up the rebound but his effort was also cleared off the line, this time by Graham Butler.

This spell spurred the home side on further and again Carbon was causing problems on the wing. This time his cross met Harris who laid the ball off to Seedel, but just as he was swinging for the ball he was challenged and the ball was cleared to safety.

Next it was the turn of the woodwork to deny the Rebels extending their lead. Ryan Spencer chased down Dean Fenton and won the ball on the half way line. Spencer quickly looked up and laid the ball into Seedel’s path, and he struck an effort from a good 30 yards out only to see the ball hit the bar and bounce over for a goal kick.

Slough continued to press on for a second goal and didn’t have to wait too long to get it.

With 66 minutes played, Carbon cut back infield from the right wing and shot from well outside the area, his shot pushed wide by the keeper. Harris’s quickly taken corner was put high into the box and met Ian Hodges head who headed the ball passed Kaelli to give the hosts a two goal lead.

With the game wrapped up Eddie Denton replaced the hard working Matt Murphy and Glen Harris for Veli Hakki and Matt Miller.

Matt Seedel met a long clearance down the left wing and cut the ball back into Miller, the striker’s delayed reaction meant he was shut down but Ryan Spencer made himself available, but just as Spencer received the ball he slipped and his effort spun out of play.

Ryan Spencer was then replaced by Denton, who bought on Leigh Mason to make his first team debut. Rob Tangent also replaced Shaun Batt for the visitors.

Mason’s first touch of the ball could have easily led to a goal. Harris’ corner was far too high for skipper Steve Daly, but Mason was positioned behind Daly and struck an effort, which was deflected out for another corner from which nothing was produced.

The last chance for the Visitors came from a sloppy piece of defending. Dean Fenton picked up a pass from Nick Gyoury and easily turned James Saulsbury, Saulsbury then bought him down knowing he didn’t have the pace to challenge with. Saulsbury was awarded a yellow card but the visitors’ kick went straight into the Slough wall.

But the last chance of the game fell to Matt Miller. Alex Haddow used his pace to get the corner and cross a ball into Millers feet. Miller shot from close range and hit the post after striking a shot embarrassingly wide just a moment earlier.

Slough collected another three points in another well-deserved victory. The Rebels travel to Wycombe in the Berks & Bucks cup on Tuesday evening looking to progress one stage further than the semi final spot of last season.