RUGBY
CONTINUE STRUGGLES AT SLOUGH
Rugby
Town's dismal run of form continued as Valley
slumped to a heavy defeat at promotion-chasing
Slough Town.
By
Craig Webb
Photo:
Martin Pulley |
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Defender
Gary Moran hooks the ball on
during the first half at Holloways Park
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Rugby’s
winless run is now seven matches, after a poor
performance at Holloways Park on Saturday, which
has seen them slip to 11th in the table.
After
the cup exit at Banbury, manager Dave Stringer
gave a first start of the season to Luke Leahy,
and Harry Harris and Tyrone Fagan returned to
the starting line up, with Seb Hamilton suspended
and Andy Gundelach injured.
Town
made the worst possible start when the home side
went ahead after just three minutes.
After
a initial shot that came off Melvin Gourlay the
resulting corner lead to the opening goal.
Defender
Alex Brown rose the highest and his accurate header
was goalbound and was helped over the line by
the impressive Sean Sonner.
This
obviously affected the confidence of Town, however
Luke Keen struck a post after good linking play
with Ben Steane.
Unfortunately
this was to prove to be Rugby’s best chance
of the game, as Slough were playing neat football
forging chances from all over the pitch.
Striker
Ben Abbey nearly doubled their lead when he saw
his effort hit the outside of the post after a
precision cross from Steve Sinclair.
Towards
the end of the half, Rugby were improving and
Richard Wesley had a chance to equalize but saw
his shot from Robbie Banks' cross blocked by the
goalkeeper James Warrington and his first half
injury time, Slough went into the break 2-0 up
when after a great cross from Sinclair, Nik Preston
unknowlingly diverted the ball into his own net,
evading Louis Connor.
Rugby
had to improve in the second period, but Slough
had the first chance of the half when Sonner produced
a cracking low diving header which was well saved
by the busy Connor.
The
young keeper certainly kept Rugby in it at this
stage producing quality saves from both Paul Coyne
and Abbey.
Unfortunately
though he couldn't keep out a downward header
from Nathan Bowden-Haase at the far post with
20 minutes to go from a Danny Murphy cross.
Within
a couple of minutes, Slough made it four, when
Harry Harris was dispossessed midway through Rugby’s
half and Abbey collected Steve Perkins' pass to
unleash a shot which left Connor stranded and
Town deflated.
Boss
Stringer made a number of changes to but to no
avail. Fagan had a half chance from about 18 yards
when the score was 2-0, but the workmanlike and
skilful performance from Slough, prevented Rugby
from having any goalscoring opportunities.
With
confidence very low, it will be a difficult game
against high flying AFC Hayes on Saturday.
Valley
Line-up: Connor; Moran, Preston, Gourlay;
Banks, Wesley, Steane, Harris (Cayless), Leahy;
Fagan, Keen (Da Costa). Subs not used:
Wilson, Williams. Booked: Banks,
Fagan. Harris.
Slough
Town: Warrington, Brown, Murphy, Perkins,
Bowden-Haase, Woozley, Sinclair, Coyne, Abbey,
Sonner, Swift.
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