More Slough Misery

Slough Town just can't do anything right at the moment; after being "robbed" at Worthing, three days later it was another case of bitter disappointment and total frustration at Wexham Park on Tuesday evening.

So the Rebels' depressing run continues but they had ample opportunity to get things right in this clash with Leytonstone/ Ilford.

They dominated the first half but despite creating a string of chances all they had to show for their efforts was a Rowan Dodds' 33rd minute goal.

And then the almost inevitable happened; Slough collapsed badly after the interval and at the end they were left hanging on for survival to take a point from this Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division match.

Tuesday’s game followed another familiar pattern. For 30 minutes or so the Rebels looked quite capable of tearing Leytonstone apart and then they went into their shell and proceeded to serve up a thoroughly depressing display.

Things started well enough for Slough and on 16 minutes a brilliant run from midfield by Devon Petty should have brought the first goal. But the talented midfield player seems to have forgotten how he hit his final effort at the to score goals these days, and legs of Leytonstone 'keeper Ricky Frost.

After a scare when Nigel Nelson was allowed a free header at the far post - which he thankfully made a mess of - the Rebels struck after 33 minutes.

Dave Alexander pumped a high freekick into the Leytonstone penalty area, Robbie Holland climbed well to knock the ball across the face of the goal and there was Dodds to head home.

It was Dodds who then twice brought the best out of Frost, as the Leytonstone 'keeper made fine one goalbound headers. handed saves to keep out another majestic run by Petty ended with him again being unable to find the target, and when Holland alone, he was crudely held took it upon himself to go it back by Frank Coles, earning the defender a booking.

But after the interval the Slough decline started. The midfield faded badly; panic set in amongst the defence and up front a far from fully fit Rowan Dodds ran out of steam and his partner, Colin Tate, had a miserable time.

The writing was soon on the wall that Leytonstone would hit back. Simon Doran should have done better when put clear and then Peter Rackley saved well from Neville Watson's header.

And on 54 minutes Leytonstone were back in the game. Slough were caught napping by the visitor's quick freekick routine and Phil Stacey found the impressive Jimmy Clare, and the diminutive striker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Slough’s one escape route from another substandard display came after 65 minutes when Moran Dodds sent Paul Slatter scampering through. But the young striker could only weakly hit his shot straight at Frost and the Rebels chance had gone.

It now became a case of survival for Slough as they continually gave possession away and seemed devoid of any ideas in how to create a hint of a goalscoring chance.

Leytonstone piled on the pressure and somehow Watson's header from a Clare Cross was kept out, and then Rackley did well to smother substitute Steve Edkins' effort. The game ended with Slough on the rack and Doran slicing the ball wide after picking up on an error by Holland.

So it was another disappointing night for the Wexham Park faithful who must be as bewildered as anyone about why the Rebels just can't get it right for a whole 90 minutes rather than in short unproductive bursts.