Match day

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Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28
19:45

Match day

Team logo
Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28 19:45
Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League
1st
45pts

Arpino blasts his jaded players

Leatherhead

Leatherhead

3
Kelly (6), Smith (10), Reid (pen 38)
Slough Town

Slough Town

0
League Trevor Porter
SLOUGH TOWN's players can expect to get a sharp warning from manager Joe Arpino after slumping to their worst defeat since January 29 in Tuesday's Isthmian League game. He declared: "I can forgive many things - but not lack of effort."

Joe added: "I only want players who feel it is an honour to play for Slough - and that means giving 100 per cent effort.

"I accept that the boys were tired both mentally - and physically after playing their fifth game in 11 days. But being jaded does not stop us applying ourselves in the right way.

“Our attitude was all wrong. Look at Roy Davies. He waited for things to happen and did not make enough effort until the second half. We expected the ball to be given to us and when we had it we wanted to make three passes when one would do.

"Our tackling was indecisive and we did not work hard enough. But some good will come of this defeat if our players have learned their lesson.”

Certainly Slough looked nothing like F.A. Trophy semi finalists and the fact that injuries had ruled out Paul Lee, Micky Cooper and Gordon Bartlett was no excuse. None of their players showed the flair and enthusiasm of Leatherhead's star centre-forward Chris Kelly.

Kelly shook Slough after only six minutes by scoring the sort of individual goal that has made him famous. He burst through from midfield and when Alan Gane failed to cover he hammered a superb 25 yard drive out of Porter's reach.

Four minutes later it was 2-0. Kelly again opened up the visitors defence with a slide-rule pass to Doyle who crossed from the right for Willie Smith to turn the ball home.

Dave Russell tried to match Kelly's skills but made little headway due to a lack of support and his own tendency to attempt too much.

Amazingly, Slough failed to produce a single worthwhile scoring attempt in the first half and they fell 3-0 behind in the 38th minute.

Right back John Cooper burst past Underwood, who had been recalled after injury, and was promptly brought down by Beyer. From the resultant penalty Dave Reid thumped the ball firmly home.

Leatherhead continued to dominate in the second half and it took a brilliant save from Porter to prevent a goal when Reid got his head to Cook's corner.

In contrast, Leatherhead keeper Swannell saw little action. The only saves he was required to make - from Reardon and Gane - were straightforward ones.

Leatherhead Lineup

Rebels

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