Northwood
0
Slough Town
2
Smith (25), Cornell (30)
League
Attendance: 142
Jake Somerville
First half goals from Ed Smith and Adam Cornell, combined with determined defending in the second half, were the key factors in Slough's 2-0 win at Northwood on Tuesday evening.
The match at Northwood Park was the only one to survive the wet weather, and Slough will be glad the game was given the go-ahead as they emerged with a hard-earned victory which lifts them up to fourth place.
Slough started well on a heavy pitch, with Warren Harris particularly lively. He worked space to put in a couple of teasing crosses which were repelled by the Northwood rear-guard, and the hosts themselves looked dangerous at the other end, with Oliyide forcing Jake Somerville to palm a shot up into the air, the young keeper claiming at the second attempt.
The Rebels narrowly avoided calamity as Somerville and Foulser almost collided to allow Northwood a sight of goal, and broke quickly, with Smith crossing in for Cornell to get a header on target, which was saved.
Slough broke the deadlock with a fine goal from Smith on 25 minutes. The striker, back in the starting line-up after recent injury problems, picked the ball up on the edge of the box, dribbled past two men and planted a shot into the bottom corner past Laurencin.
Just five minutes later, Darren Wheeler swung in a corner which Cornell met with a header, and Laurencin was rooted to the spot as he watched the ball hit the back of the net.
This two goal lead was almost halved, but Somerville came to the rescue with a diving save from a headed effort. Somerville enjoyed a fine game, and was instrumental in helping the Rebels keep Northwood at bay, particularly in the second half.
The hosts were denied what looked a certain goal late in the half as Sean Fraser threw himself in front of the ball, whilst Oliyide fired into the side netting.
Northwood’s response after the interval was extremely positive, the hosts putting Slough under severe pressure at times, without being able to find a path to goal. Lawrence fired wide after a strong run down the right, and Dave Woozley’s last ditch tackle denied Nico Muir as he was about to pull the trigger.
With Northwood playing well and having most of the ball, Slough needed to play on the counter attack, and did this extremely well. Smith almost scored a third when he latched on to a super ball through from Leigh Rumbold, but couldn’t get enough power on the ball as he tried to flick it round Laurencin.
Somerville made a string of saves to frustrate Northwood and earn him the man of the match award, first turning over a long-range strike from Muir, before making an even better save from close range.
Slough picked their moments to attack, and Woozley almost wrapped up the points as he powered a header toward goal, but Laurencin saved on the line.
The only negative point for the Rebels was an injury to Warren Harris after a cynical foul by Sprague, who was booked after deliberately bringing down the winger from behind after he burst past him. Harris was replaced by George Short, and Slough’s hard work throughout the game was rewarded as they successfully saw out the remaining few minutes to chalk up a vital win against one of their rivals in the race for the playoff slots.
The match at Northwood Park was the only one to survive the wet weather, and Slough will be glad the game was given the go-ahead as they emerged with a hard-earned victory which lifts them up to fourth place.
Slough started well on a heavy pitch, with Warren Harris particularly lively. He worked space to put in a couple of teasing crosses which were repelled by the Northwood rear-guard, and the hosts themselves looked dangerous at the other end, with Oliyide forcing Jake Somerville to palm a shot up into the air, the young keeper claiming at the second attempt.
The Rebels narrowly avoided calamity as Somerville and Foulser almost collided to allow Northwood a sight of goal, and broke quickly, with Smith crossing in for Cornell to get a header on target, which was saved.
Slough broke the deadlock with a fine goal from Smith on 25 minutes. The striker, back in the starting line-up after recent injury problems, picked the ball up on the edge of the box, dribbled past two men and planted a shot into the bottom corner past Laurencin.
Just five minutes later, Darren Wheeler swung in a corner which Cornell met with a header, and Laurencin was rooted to the spot as he watched the ball hit the back of the net.
This two goal lead was almost halved, but Somerville came to the rescue with a diving save from a headed effort. Somerville enjoyed a fine game, and was instrumental in helping the Rebels keep Northwood at bay, particularly in the second half.
The hosts were denied what looked a certain goal late in the half as Sean Fraser threw himself in front of the ball, whilst Oliyide fired into the side netting.
Northwood’s response after the interval was extremely positive, the hosts putting Slough under severe pressure at times, without being able to find a path to goal. Lawrence fired wide after a strong run down the right, and Dave Woozley’s last ditch tackle denied Nico Muir as he was about to pull the trigger.
With Northwood playing well and having most of the ball, Slough needed to play on the counter attack, and did this extremely well. Smith almost scored a third when he latched on to a super ball through from Leigh Rumbold, but couldn’t get enough power on the ball as he tried to flick it round Laurencin.
Somerville made a string of saves to frustrate Northwood and earn him the man of the match award, first turning over a long-range strike from Muir, before making an even better save from close range.
Slough picked their moments to attack, and Woozley almost wrapped up the points as he powered a header toward goal, but Laurencin saved on the line.
The only negative point for the Rebels was an injury to Warren Harris after a cynical foul by Sprague, who was booked after deliberately bringing down the winger from behind after he burst past him. Harris was replaced by George Short, and Slough’s hard work throughout the game was rewarded as they successfully saw out the remaining few minutes to chalk up a vital win against one of their rivals in the race for the playoff slots.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Jake Somerville
- 2 Sean Fraser
- 3 Ryan Parsons
- 4 David Woozley
- 5 Adam Foulser
- 6 Leigh Rumbold
- 7 Adam Cornell 16
- 8 Jamie McClurg
- 9 Edward Smith
- 10 Darren Wheeler
- 11 Warren Harris 12
Substitutes
- 12 George Short 11
- 14 Sebastien Castello
- 15 Jake Parsons
- 16 Scott Harris 7
- 17 Matty Bonnett
Northwood Lineup
Laurencin, Flegg, Sprague, M Burgess, Brown, Nicholas, Federico, J Burgess, Muir, Lawrence, Oliyide. Subs: Townsend, White, Walsh, Duncan, Ehui.