Rebels End The Slump

Slough Town

Slough Town

2
Tate (43), Alexander (45)
Barking

Barking

1
Groom (67)
League
Slough Town’s disappointing string of defeats may have been halted on Saturday at Wexham Park, but after watching the way they struggled against lowly Barking, there is still a lot of hard work to be done.

Only a first half double strike from new signing Colin Tate and Dave Alexander could offer manager Terry Reardon any solace as the Rebels ended their five match losing run.

Their performance in this Isthmian Servowarm League, Premier Division clash was far from impressive but the most important factor was that the Rebels did win their first taste of success since September 29.

The old fire, flair and especially self-confidence was still missing but hopefully this win may be just the boost Terry Reardon's side needs to lift them out of their present slump.

There was a touch of nostalgia to the afternoon with Richard Teale returning in goal for Slough with Peter Rackley dropped to the reserves. Teale's last appearance for the Rebels was that glorious night at Sutton back in May 1981, when the Premier Division title was clinched.

Keith White in midfield and David O'Flaherty in defence were the only players to rise above the mediocre, while Devon Petty and Alexander showed occasional glimpses of their old self.

Although both sides are in the lower depths of the division, the Rebels really were expected to produce something special against Barking, but at the end of the day were lucky to finish with three points.

Neither 'keepers faced a lot of pressure in the first 40 minutes with only a John Harrison shot in the 14th minute which was beautifully saved by Teale and a Rowan Dodds header 23 minutes later at the other end proving really threatening.

Indeed it took an incredible defensive mix up near the interval between Barking 'keeper Dave Root and Jim Hallybone to allow Slough to score when Tate, just signed from Wycombe Wanderers, stepped in and pushed the ball into an empty net for his debut goal.

If that goal was lucky then the next was incredible. Dave Alexander went through on his own and his chip seemed rather harmless as two defenders homed in on it, but a combination of wind and top spin forced it to speed up and shoot past the startled defenders.

The second half was almost as monotonous as the first with only the odd glimmer of excitement keeping the crowd awake.

In the 58th minute Paul Yates for Barking hit a beautiful curling low 20 yard shot which was well saved by Teale, with the resulting corner headed off the line by Alexander.

Barking took 67 minutes to get just rewards for their continual hard work when Dennis Bailey crossed to Andy Groom, who rose way above the watching defence to head past the stranded Teale.

Barking Lineup

Rebels

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