Same Old Story

Defensive lapses have so often been Slough Town's downfall this season and that was the case at Wexham Park on Saturday as Worthing stole three precious points in their bid to catch Sutton United for the championship.

In what was generally an unproductive match second placed Worthing settled the issue with two first half goals as the Rebels' goals against column in the Servowarm Isthmian League, Premier Division rocketed to an alarming 70 for the season.

Questions once again have to be asked about the Slough defence concerning both Worthing goals as slack marking allowed the Sussex outfit to complete the double this term over Howard Kennedy's men.

However apart from the two goals and several other early scares the Slough defence didn't exactly have a testing afternoon's work and in the second half Worthing were limited to just one clear shot at goal.

And during that period the Rebels had a hatful of opportunities to have at least taken a point from this clash, often spoilt by the swirling wind which swept around Wexham Park.

But a combination of poor finishing, good Worthing defensive work and some superlative goalkeeping from Simon Steele left Slough pointless. As early as the third minute Stewart Mitchell almost committed suicide for the Rebels with a desperate back pass which had Les Currell scampering off his line to foil danger man Micky Edmonds.

However after 19 minutes Worthing took the lead when with the Slough defence looking anxious for some seconds Richard Tiltman, whipped in a cross from the left and there was Trevor Dove, totally unmarked, to fire past the despairing Currell from close range.

Currell then had to be at his best to keep out a curling cross from Tiltman while at the other end Colin Tate looked the pick of the Slough strikers and one header brought a diving save out of the composed Steele. Keith White saw a powerful shot blocked by Steele before on 35 minutes Worthing again exposed Slough's defensive problems.

Mark Wakefield's corner was allowed to reach the far post where Edmonds got above Joe Moloney and headed home.

Plagued by the windy conditions Slough's midfield looked muted and lacked drive but they did carve out one opening for Micky Kiely, but with only Steele to beat his final shot lacked the necessary direction.

The scene for the second half was set as early as the 47th minute when from the best move of the afternoon Slough created a golden chance. Kiely and Tate did the spadework to set up Dave Alexander but, from 18 yards out he crashed his effort way off target. It was then the turn of Steele to show off his skills in the Worthing goal; first foiling Tate as he tipped his header onto the crossbar and then producing an acrobatic one handed save to keep out White's well placed header after an astute free kick from Alexander.

It wasn't to be White's afternoon as he saw another shot well saved low down by Steele and then on 72 minutes a blockbuster of a free kick from 20 yards produced another flying stop from the Worthing 'keeper.

IT’S all arms and legs as Slough Town defender Joe Moloney tussles with two Worthing players during Saturday's clash at Wexham Park.

Boss Kennedy, tried to inject new life into Slough by sending on Dave Russell for Francis Araguez and gambling on only playing three at the back. While the move put the Rebels under no more pressure defensively it also did not produce the much needed flair and drive in midfield or up front.

The closest Slough came to rocking Worthing was when White put leading marksman Rowan Dodds through. He saw his effort blocked to Kiely and when a goal looked certain Tony Vessey somehow got back to clear Kiely's shot off the line.

And, that really was the end of the action with Worthing having done the difficult job quite prepared to sit back and soak up what pressure Slough could muster and take home three points to keep the pressure on Sutton at the top.

Worthing’s one and only chance of the half came three minutes from time when Tiltman burst through, following a quick break, but Currell was equal to his final effort.

Not only can Slough ill afford to give away goals against such disciplined sides as Worthing but also they must learn to turn their domination of vital periods of matches into goals because it's goals that win matches and not corners won or chances created.