Slough Town
1
Daly (71)
Oxford City
2
Pond (19), Telemaque (51)
League
Attendance: 196
Johnnie Gray
Slough Town staged a strong second half fightback, but were ultimately unable to recover from two defensive errors as Oxford City gained a hard-fought victory.
Things started brightly for the Rebels with Davies winning an early corner after his shot was deflected wide. The ball was cleared, and Connor returned it into the penalty area but debutant Roy Gumbs fired wide on the turn.
Slough’s first scare came when Errol Telemaque, one of five former Rebels in the Oxford squad, fired wastefully across goal on the volley.
However, soon after, the visitors took an important lead through Darren Pond. Lee Carroll had initially made a good save with his legs, but the rebound from the edge of the area was returned back towards goal by Pond. Brian Connor dived for the ball in front of Carroll, but the ball went straight between them and into the back of the net amidst the confusion.
City were looking every bit like a side in the mix for promotion, looking to attack at every opportunity. Mark Bell was unlucky to hit the outside of a post with a curling effort, whilst at the other end Roy Gumbs sliced wide after being played through by Pritchard.
Minutes before the break, City squandered two good chances. First, Pond miskicked in the middle after a ball over the top from Telemaque. Soon after, a headed effort from a corner was cleared off the line by the ever-improving John Gray. On the counter-attack, Usif Bangura found himself through on goal, but he put his effort disappointingly wide.
The second half started badly for the Rebels, as within six minutes of the restart, another defensive howler gifted City their second goal. Brian Connor and Lee Carroll again got their wires crossed, with the Anguillan international playing the ball past his own keeper. Errol Telemaque was left with the easiest of finishes as he dashed towards the goal to reach the ball before it crossed the line.
Slough were not out of the game completely yet though, and tried to force openings with Pritchard seeing a deflected effort saved, and Roy Gumbs just unable to stretch far enough to meet a Gray cross at the far post.
The Rebels were given a lifeline in the 71st minute as City ‘keeper Smith flapped at a corner kick, the ball falling straight onto the back of Steve Daly’s head, resulting in a goal for the home side.
Moments later, Davies curled an effort just wide as Slough looked for a quick-fire second goal.
Jermaine Gumbs replaced Roy Gumbs to give the Rebels a bit of extra pace up front, with Davies giving way to Jeffreys.
As Slough continued attacking, Usif Bangura found himself with a glorious chance one-on-one with Smith, but the striker could only hit the legs of the ‘keeper with City defenders catching up with him. Steve Daly also went close with a header from a corner, but the Rebels found themselves staring at yet another defeat, a disappointment compounded by news of Bracknell Town’s victory at Thatcham.
Things started brightly for the Rebels with Davies winning an early corner after his shot was deflected wide. The ball was cleared, and Connor returned it into the penalty area but debutant Roy Gumbs fired wide on the turn.
Slough’s first scare came when Errol Telemaque, one of five former Rebels in the Oxford squad, fired wastefully across goal on the volley.
However, soon after, the visitors took an important lead through Darren Pond. Lee Carroll had initially made a good save with his legs, but the rebound from the edge of the area was returned back towards goal by Pond. Brian Connor dived for the ball in front of Carroll, but the ball went straight between them and into the back of the net amidst the confusion.
City were looking every bit like a side in the mix for promotion, looking to attack at every opportunity. Mark Bell was unlucky to hit the outside of a post with a curling effort, whilst at the other end Roy Gumbs sliced wide after being played through by Pritchard.
Minutes before the break, City squandered two good chances. First, Pond miskicked in the middle after a ball over the top from Telemaque. Soon after, a headed effort from a corner was cleared off the line by the ever-improving John Gray. On the counter-attack, Usif Bangura found himself through on goal, but he put his effort disappointingly wide.
The second half started badly for the Rebels, as within six minutes of the restart, another defensive howler gifted City their second goal. Brian Connor and Lee Carroll again got their wires crossed, with the Anguillan international playing the ball past his own keeper. Errol Telemaque was left with the easiest of finishes as he dashed towards the goal to reach the ball before it crossed the line.
Slough were not out of the game completely yet though, and tried to force openings with Pritchard seeing a deflected effort saved, and Roy Gumbs just unable to stretch far enough to meet a Gray cross at the far post.
The Rebels were given a lifeline in the 71st minute as City ‘keeper Smith flapped at a corner kick, the ball falling straight onto the back of Steve Daly’s head, resulting in a goal for the home side.
Moments later, Davies curled an effort just wide as Slough looked for a quick-fire second goal.
Jermaine Gumbs replaced Roy Gumbs to give the Rebels a bit of extra pace up front, with Davies giving way to Jeffreys.
As Slough continued attacking, Usif Bangura found himself with a glorious chance one-on-one with Smith, but the striker could only hit the legs of the ‘keeper with City defenders catching up with him. Steve Daly also went close with a header from a corner, but the Rebels found themselves staring at yet another defeat, a disappointment compounded by news of Bracknell Town’s victory at Thatcham.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Lee Carroll
- 2 Chris Robinson
- 3 Brian Connor
- 4 Steve Daly
- 5 Meddie Nsubuga
- 6 Terry Davies
- 7 James Pritchard
- 8 Laurence Brown
- 9 Usif Bangura
- 10 Roy Gumbs
- 11 Johnnie Gray
Substitutes
- 12 Jermaine Gumbs
- 14 Lee Riddell
- 15 Danny Jeffreys
- 16 Landy Sakala
- 17 Jamie Jackson
Oxford City Lineup
1. Steve Smith, 2. James Saulsbury (c), 3. Leon Woodruffe, 4. Andy Gunn, 5. Darren Pond, 6. Mark Avery, 7. Errol Telemaque, 8. Liam Malone, 9. Alex Stewart, 10. Michael Lyon, 11. Mark Bell. Subs: 12. Yashwa Romeo, 14. Steve Davis, 15. Jon Gardner, 16. Josias Carbon.