Single Mistake Proves Costly

The first blemish of Neal Stanley's quite wonderful start to the season came at chilly Southport on Saturday, as Slough suffered only their second defeat of the campaign.

It's a campaign that has seen the Rebels power to the top of the Conference, with a series of impressive displays culminating in last Tuesday's emphatic 5-2 defeat of Yeovil at Wexham Park.

But away from their home fortress Slough have adopted a more cautious approach and it was always likely that Stanley's mistake — as he tried to carry the ball out of defence and was caught in possession —could prove crucial.

Stanley tried to break as a home free kick broke down but in the tackle the ball rebounded handily into the path of Southport striker Paul Quinten, and he proved lethal from 12 yards with the one real shot that Trevor Bunting faced. Typically he was given no chance and one error had undone Slough.

Wouldn't it be nice to think that just for once, and for 90 undiluted minutes the good fortune was with Slough, totally implausible I know but nice I fancy, all the same.

So settled had Slough become, with the returning Les Briley marshalling his defensive troops in efficient manner, that to suddenly find another gear proved too difficult a task.

Morrys Scott the hat-trick hero of four days previous was once again very much a passenger, enduring a less than fruitful afternoon against a strong Southport defence.

Stanley and Mark Fiore found their skills were hampered by a pitch best described as bobbly and a passing game was never really a likelihood.

That said Fiore was able to sweep in three early crosses that might have brought Slough some reward had any of their other outfield players attempted to get on the end of them.

Now The Doc is at pains to point out that he doesn't treat away games any differently to those at Wexham, but it's surely more than a coincidence that Slough have thumped in 11 goals in four home appearances but just two in five away trips.

Allowing for the fact that the emphasis is usually on the home side to do most of the attacking it does seem that Town are a little too "safe" on their travels, perhaps it is a psychological thing, we should be grateful that Wexham Park is fast becoming the Old Trafford of the Vauxhall Conference but if as John Doc says confidence is built on away results then Town must pose more of a forward threat.

Steve Scott had another ineffective outing while the midfield duo of Ian Hazel and Mark Quamina were unable to exert the same influence on proceedings as they had done against the Somerset boys.

With Andy Sayer fast regaining fitness Steve Scott in particular may feel his place is threatened, with Neal Stanley likely to switch to the right, allowing Sayer to join the lanky Morrys Scott up front.

Quinlan, who was with Everton last season had the only other opportunity of note for Southport but when Briley missed a defensive header the lively striker was off target.

The closest Slough came found Fiore, inevitably as the initial source, but his cross was headed well wide by the incoming Brian Lee.

Town also felt they might have won an 80th minute penalty but the shoulder to shoulder challenge that saw Stanley hit the deck was ruled legal.