Two Dave’s Double-Act Inspires Rebels

An inspired two minute spell early in the second half blew aside the challenge of Fareham and kept Slough Town on the FA Cup trail at Wexham Park on Saturday.

It needed something special to lift the Rebels through this second qualifying round tie, and it came in the form of well taken goals from Dave Alexander and David Lloyd in the 54th and 56th minutes.

Before this dramatic two-goal burst Slough had huffed and puffed their way through the game. They always looked the slightly better side, but squandered what chances came their way.

In fact, with both sets of defences looking hesitant under pressure, if either side had been sharper in front of goal we could well have witnessed a high-scoring cup tie.

First blood almost went to the Rebels as early as the 11th minute. Lloyd played a delightful ball to put Russell clear but, after rounding Paul Grant, the Slough striker found the angle too acute and his eventual shot was blocked away. It was again Rowan Dodds who looked the most likely Slough player to break down Southern League Fareham.

Twice in the space of a minute he showed why he was the player the Hampshire side had to fear most. First a sweet turn in the penalty area ended with a shot over the bar and then a storming run down the right despite the presence of Mike Jenkins clattering away at his ankles finally saw the ball reach Alexander, who with the best shooting chance of the half fired wildly off target.

The Slough defence also had their anxious moments and Steve Claridge should have done better than head wide when presented with a clear opening after 42 minutes.

Things really started to in the opening five minutes liven up after the interval and first Peter Rackley and then Grant were forced to make vital saves.

But the game swung in Slough's favour on 54 minutes. It was Alexander who started the move and the seasoned midfielder finished it off in grand style when he cracked home a loose ball from 15 yards for his first goal of the season.

And within a further two minutes Fareham were as good as dead and buried when the Rebels stunned them with a second goal. Keith White's long clear space and, although slow at once found Lloyd in acres of first to react, the young Slough striker then confidently strode for goal and finished with the coolness of a seasoned campaigner.

Slough now really started to believe in themselves and for the next 15 minutes produced some delightful football. Both Dodds and Russell were foiled by Grant and it looked only a matter of time before goal number three would come.

Twice, exquisite through balls by Alexander almost allowed Dodds to add to his already impressive goal tally this season while the hard working Devon Petty was close to presenting Lloyd with his second effort of the afternoon as the striker headed just wide.

After this inspired burst Slough relaxed their grip and twice Rackley was out quickly to foil the lively Kevin Bartlett who if his finishing had matched his approach play could have been a potential match winner for Fareham.

But it was Slough who continued on the cup trail and moved one step nearer a possible money spinning tie against Football League opposition in this season's competition.