Slough Town
1
Friend (pen 73)
Boreham Wood
0
League
Barry Friend
A BARRY Friend penalty after 73 minutes sent Slough Town level on points with Enfield at the top of the Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division, and gained revenge for an earlier defeat against Boreham Wood, at Wexham Park on Saturday.
A near gale force wind virtually ruined the match as a spectacle as both sides struggled to master the extremely difficult conditions which at times turned the game into a lottery. And although Slough always looked the slightly more classy side it was not until Friend's second half penalty that either side ever really looked like breaking the deadlock.
With Eric Young still nursing the shoulder injury received two days earlier against Wycombe Wanderers, Micky O'Sullivan returned to the side, while after a lengthy absence due to injury Keith White made a welcome return as substitute.
During the first half Boreham Wood had what advantage the wind was giving and twice created good chances in the first 25 minutes. First Terry Waugh went close with a well struck volley and then Richard Teale had to save well from Henry Pacquette after good work in the penalty area by Micky Beavens.
At the other end, Slough's best effort was a header from Eggie James following a Pat Morrissey cross on the left.
With the elements in their favour after the interval, the Rebels steadily started to mount the pressure on Boreham Wood's goal. Twice James went close to scoring and then after 62 minutes, some fine work by James on the left wing finished with O'Sullivan's shot being pushed away for a corner.
Finally after 73 minutes Slough were given their first real clear-cut scoring chance of the match. Kiely put Morrissey free on the left and his perfect pass found James unmarked on the edge of the Boreham Wood penalty area. He controlled the ball on his chest and moved smartly towards goal before being bundled over by Dave Tyler. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and from the spot, Friend slammed the ball past Waller.
With the pressure now lifted, the Rebels mounted a series of dangerous attacks and twice Dave Russell went close to adding a second goal. He saw a well-placed header cleared off the line, and then only Waller's outstretched legs prevented him from scoring again after a good cross from Kiely.
However, in the end Friend's penalty was enough to give the Rebels three more vital points and put them level with Enfield at the top, with four matches in hand.
When Slough and Boreham Wood met last month it was another second half penalty that gave the Hertfordshire side a 1-0 win on that occasion.
A near gale force wind virtually ruined the match as a spectacle as both sides struggled to master the extremely difficult conditions which at times turned the game into a lottery. And although Slough always looked the slightly more classy side it was not until Friend's second half penalty that either side ever really looked like breaking the deadlock.
With Eric Young still nursing the shoulder injury received two days earlier against Wycombe Wanderers, Micky O'Sullivan returned to the side, while after a lengthy absence due to injury Keith White made a welcome return as substitute.
During the first half Boreham Wood had what advantage the wind was giving and twice created good chances in the first 25 minutes. First Terry Waugh went close with a well struck volley and then Richard Teale had to save well from Henry Pacquette after good work in the penalty area by Micky Beavens.
At the other end, Slough's best effort was a header from Eggie James following a Pat Morrissey cross on the left.
With the elements in their favour after the interval, the Rebels steadily started to mount the pressure on Boreham Wood's goal. Twice James went close to scoring and then after 62 minutes, some fine work by James on the left wing finished with O'Sullivan's shot being pushed away for a corner.
Finally after 73 minutes Slough were given their first real clear-cut scoring chance of the match. Kiely put Morrissey free on the left and his perfect pass found James unmarked on the edge of the Boreham Wood penalty area. He controlled the ball on his chest and moved smartly towards goal before being bundled over by Dave Tyler. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and from the spot, Friend slammed the ball past Waller.
With the pressure now lifted, the Rebels mounted a series of dangerous attacks and twice Dave Russell went close to adding a second goal. He saw a well-placed header cleared off the line, and then only Waller's outstretched legs prevented him from scoring again after a good cross from Kiely.
However, in the end Friend's penalty was enough to give the Rebels three more vital points and put them level with Enfield at the top, with four matches in hand.
When Slough and Boreham Wood met last month it was another second half penalty that gave the Hertfordshire side a 1-0 win on that occasion.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Richard Teale
- 2 Dave Yerby
- 3 Steve Norman
- 4 John Beyer
- 5 Micky OSullivan
- 6 Terry Reardon
- 7 Dave Russell
- 8 Barry Friend
- 9 Micky Kiely
- 10 Pat Morrissey
- 11 Eggie James
Substitutes
- 12 Keith White