Slough Town
3
White (18), Holland (55), Tate (70)
Croydon
1
Green (45)
League
Having returned from a fruitless trip to the water meadows of Aylesbury in midweek, Slough looked much happier in the more familiar surroundings of Wexham Park on Saturday with this encouraging display against Croydon.
It really looks as though the presence of Colin Tate in a striking role creates a new confidence in the Rebels and in this Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division clash he struck up an excellent understanding with his former Oxford City colleague Dave Alexander.
There were many other fine performances in this match. Robbie Holland had a particular memorable game while Devon Petty again excelled, but also became the first Slough player booked in a league match this season.
In the opening stages Slough were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Keith White was clearly sandwiched with Terry Fell out of his goal and then a good run by Petty almost created a goal.
But on 18 minutes it was White who gave the Rebels a deserved lead when he headed home Tate's right wing cross under the diving Fell.
Within a minute Croydon had almost equalised when Gary Flemington's free kick struck the foot on the post and then Peter Rackley was stretched to tip over a difficult shot from Mordecai.
The Rebels continued to plug away and Tate, Adrian Smith and Francis Araguez all tested Fell with goalbound efforts.
Then, just on half time, as so often this season the defence contrived their own downfall. Rackley called for a back pass, Moran Dodds delivered it, and there was John Green to pounce on the ball and round Rackley to score.
Fortunately Slough were not deterred and they came out to play their best second half this season. In the 55th minute Petty came within an inch of giving Slough the lead when Fell somehow saved his diving header.
At this point Paul Slatter replaced the out of touch Trevor Baron and things really started to buzz. Slatter's first run with the ball was crucial as he was felled within a couple of inches of the area by a crude tackle. Alexander swerved the free kick straight at Holland, who rose majestically to head past Fell.
Slough now started to play with confidence and one perfect pass from Tate was met by Alexander who brought a tremendous save out of Fell. When the third goal arrived in the 70th minute it was yet another header.
Slatter accelerated down the right and crossed perfectly for Tate to head firmly past Fell. Thereafter there was only one side in it and Slough could have added considerably to their score, as both Tate and Smith went close.
It really looks as though the presence of Colin Tate in a striking role creates a new confidence in the Rebels and in this Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division clash he struck up an excellent understanding with his former Oxford City colleague Dave Alexander.
There were many other fine performances in this match. Robbie Holland had a particular memorable game while Devon Petty again excelled, but also became the first Slough player booked in a league match this season.
In the opening stages Slough were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Keith White was clearly sandwiched with Terry Fell out of his goal and then a good run by Petty almost created a goal.
But on 18 minutes it was White who gave the Rebels a deserved lead when he headed home Tate's right wing cross under the diving Fell.
Within a minute Croydon had almost equalised when Gary Flemington's free kick struck the foot on the post and then Peter Rackley was stretched to tip over a difficult shot from Mordecai.
The Rebels continued to plug away and Tate, Adrian Smith and Francis Araguez all tested Fell with goalbound efforts.
Then, just on half time, as so often this season the defence contrived their own downfall. Rackley called for a back pass, Moran Dodds delivered it, and there was John Green to pounce on the ball and round Rackley to score.
Fortunately Slough were not deterred and they came out to play their best second half this season. In the 55th minute Petty came within an inch of giving Slough the lead when Fell somehow saved his diving header.
At this point Paul Slatter replaced the out of touch Trevor Baron and things really started to buzz. Slatter's first run with the ball was crucial as he was felled within a couple of inches of the area by a crude tackle. Alexander swerved the free kick straight at Holland, who rose majestically to head past Fell.
Slough now started to play with confidence and one perfect pass from Tate was met by Alexander who brought a tremendous save out of Fell. When the third goal arrived in the 70th minute it was yet another header.
Slatter accelerated down the right and crossed perfectly for Tate to head firmly past Fell. Thereafter there was only one side in it and Slough could have added considerably to their score, as both Tate and Smith went close.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Peter Rackley
- 2 Moran Dodds
- 3 Francis Araguez
- 4 Robbie Holland
- 5 David O'Flaherty
- 6 Trevor Baron 12
- 7 Dave Alexander
- 8 Keith White
- 9 Adrian Smith
- 10 Colin Tate
- 11 Devon Petty
Substitutes
- 12 Paul Slatter 6