Three Of The Best Leave Harrow In Tatters

Three of the sweetest goals you are likely to see anywhere this season swept Slough Town to a superbly contrived victory over last season's champions Harrow Borough at Wexham Park on Tuesday evening.

And this impressive display by the Rebels left the Wexham Park faithful buzzing with excitement about what could be in prospect for the rest of the season and also brought a large smile to the face of manager Terry Reardon. The Slough boss could not have hoped for a better start to the new Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division campaign and the manner of this win was a real bonus.

“The start we have made is better than I expected but now we have got to keep it going. We have a lot of inexperienced players and I have still got doubts about the strength of our squad," said Reardon.

But he was delighted with this win over Harrow, commenting: "We showed a lot of character tonight, especially after going a goal down so early on, although I felt only at times did we really show what we are capable of playing like. All three goals were great and it was a real gutsy team performance. Everyone played well, especially the back four in which Peter Skerritt was superb," said Reardon.

It really was a match to savour, full of fast, free flowing attacking football, packed with excitement and producing four absolutely cracking goals. The three that Slough netted were quite superb efforts as they gave Harrow a lesson in how to finish off well executed moves.

In recent seasons Harrow have proved something of a "bogey" side to Slough and it looked as though that may continue when they went ahead after only four minutes. Charlie Flaherty's latched onto David O'Flaherty headed clearance and crisply volleyed the ball straight past Peter Rackley from 20 yards.

But showing great character the Rebels quickly bounced back and after 17 minutes were on level terms again. Eddie Hutchinson's long ball down the left was skilfully headed on by Rowan Dodds, and showing great pace Dave Russell nipped in between a Harrow defender and clinically knocked the ball over the advancing Andy Pape.

Russell, in particular, looked razor sharp and back to his best and continued to harass the Borough defence throughout. There was an anxious moment for Slough minutes after Russell's goal when a shot by Paul Morris was almost deflected into his own net by O'Flaherty, who then in turn saw Flaherty just fail to connect with the loose ball.

The loss of new signing Trevor Baron with a groin injury after 33 minutes was a blow to the Rebels but with Francis Araguez coming on at right back and youngster Steve Proctor moving up front they quickly adjusted.

Harrow almost started the second half in sensational style when Ray Metz's free kick was allowed to run agonisingly across the face of the Slough goal and from the ensuing corner Lawrence Holmes headed onto the crossbar.

But then came the night's moment of magic and Slough's decisive second goal after 54 minutes. The skill of Devon Petty started it all and when he reached Araguez on the right the full back's perfect cross was brilliantly headed past Pape by Dodds for a stunning effort.

Harrow’s danger men Steve Emmanuel and Clevere Ford always threatened but too often spoilt some good work with poor crosses and while at times Slough came under pressure they defended in numbers superbly and offered Harrow few sniffs of goal.

An accomplished Slough display was rounded off in the 81st minute with the "killer" third goal and it was another beauty. Russell got a high ball from White under control on the left and then held it long enough to reach White, whose precise cross to the near post was crisply knocked past Pape by the alert Proctor.

It is still early days for this Slough side which consists almost entirely of local play but a maximum six points from the opening two matches is a fine platform from which to build.

Manager Terry Reardon will be hoping Baron recovers from injury for Saturday's match but his other three casualties Howard Kennedy, Dylan Evans and Joe Moloney are now back in training and working up to match fitness.