Slough 1 Beaconsfield 2 AET

[Cookham Rebel]

Well, yet another season in the Central Division looms!

 

Thought both teams were awful but one team had to win it.

 

I was amazed at how our style of play didn't adapt when it was clear very early on that SYCOB were going to park the bus by playing 1 up front, in attack we created absolutely nothing and when we eventually scored, the decision to get everyone behind the ball with the exception of Ben Abbey was catastrophic as the defeat proved.

 

I think the blame for how our performances have plummeted since the St Neots game can only rest at one man's door and that is the manager. Yet again, there was absolutely no motivation or inspiration from the bench!

 

I had a feeling this would happen tonight. Yes the players have been fantastic in getting us into the play offs yet again and finishing 2nd but now our ambitions are higher than previous seasons, to not get promoted this season isn't good enough!

 

Where we go from here I don't know, I'm normally gutted when we lose but after watching that performance tonight I'm not at all, I think we got we deserved in the end!

 

Have a great summer all, and hopefully here's to us finally gaining promotion next season!

Edited May 3, 2012 by Cookham Rebel

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Gutted!

[Nathan]

Play-off Semi-Final vs Hitchin Town last year. 1-0 up going into 1st half injury time. Hitchin equalise. Could we regroup and go on to win? no, we collapsed to a sorry 4-1 defeat. We bottled it.

 

10th March this year. We've won 1-0 at St. Neots to go 3 points clear at the top. the chances are that if we hold our nerve, the title is ours. Could we carry on our good season-long form and set us up in pole position? No, we promptly put in a dire performance and lose 2-0 at home against struggling North Greenford. We bottled it.

 

7th April this year. We've just scraped past Bedfont Town, and have heard the news that St. Neots have drawn for the 3rd successive game, leaving us and them on equal points. The title is clearly up for grabs to whichever side holds their nerve. Would it be us? No, we promptly draw against Beaconsfield, and are stuffed by Bedworth and Leighton, thus handing the title to St. Neots. We bottled it.

 

Tonight. A dire game played by 2 rather dire teams. 87th minute, and there's still not a shot worth speaking of. But we get a penalty, a penalty that, if scored, would almost certainly send us through to the play-off final. But we miss the penalty. We bottled it.

 

Half-time of extra-time tonight. We've just taken the lead through our only proper shot on target in the entire game. Beaconsfield too haven't managed a shot on target. Only 15 minutes left to hold onto this 1-0 lead. But no, we gift them a penalty, and the rest is history. We bottled it.

 

I think it's time we considered that maybe Steve Bateman has done all he can for this club. Certainly over the past few weeks, he has shown he cannot get the players to play when it really matters. 3 play-offs campaigns, and (with the exception of the win at Hitchin), we've bottled in on the big day three times.

 

Tonight in particular, I thought we were disgraceful. I make no apologies for the use of this strong word. After a season's long work, a season where we've finished 16 points ahead of our nearest rivals and matched St Neots (until the last few weeks when it really mattered, where we bottled it), all of that thrown away after a performance where we simply didn't look up for it. More than that; we looked clueless and disorganised. 2 shots on target, one of which was a penalty. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it was a pre-season friendly.

 

Considering tonight and the last few weeks, if I didn't know better, I would say that we didn't want to get promoted! I really mean that!

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Gutted sums it up. Such a waste at the end of what was such a promising season.

 

We didn't look like we wanted it and Beaconsfield did. It would have been unfair on them if we had won on that performance, they chased us all over the park for the whole game.

Only 3 shots on target that I can remember, the first of which was the penalty and one of the others was the goal, and a failure to control the ball all over the pitch and Beaconsfield had several decent chances. Then we couldn't see the game out when we were in a winning position.

 

Who knows what happens now, whether the team will stay together, whether the management team will stay, what opposition we face next season. This was our best shot at promotion and we managed to fall away so badly at the end of the season.

 

To be fair though, well done to the players and management for keeping us in the title race for so long and guiding us to a better position than the last 2 playoff seasons.

[Yossa Hughes]

I have not come on here to gloat but I can't agree with the comments about how bad Beaconsfield were ! You set out with a plan a nd if it works then job done. I must say I have complete respect for the Slough fans who clapped us of. That is top draw !

[Yossa Hughes]

Gutted sums it up. Such a waste at the end of what was such a promising season.

 

We didn't look like we wanted it and Beaconsfield did. It would have been unfair on them if we had won on that performance, they chased us all over the park for the whole game.

Only 3 shots on target that I can remember, the first of which was the penalty and one of the others was the goal, and a failure to control the ball all over the pitch and Beaconsfield had several decent chances. Then we couldn't see the game out when we were in a winning position.

 

Who knows what happens now, whether the team will stay together, whether the management team will stay, what opposition we face next season. This was our best shot at promotion and we managed to fall away so badly at the end of the season.

 

To be fair though, well done to the players and management for keeping us in the title race for so long and guiding us to a better position than the last 2 playoff seasons.

Gutted sums it up. Such a waste at the end of what was such a promising season.

 

We didn't look like we wanted it and Beaconsfield did. It would have been unfair on them if we had won on that performance, they chased us all over the park for the whole game.

Only 3 shots on target that I can remember, the first of which was the penalty and one of the others was the goal, and a failure to control the ball all over the pitch and Beaconsfield had several decent chances. Then we couldn't see the game out when we were in a winning position.

 

Who knows what happens now, whether the team will stay together, whether the management team will stay, what opposition we face next season. This was our best shot at promotion and we managed to fall away so badly at the end of the season.

 

To be fair though, well done to the players and management for keeping us in the title race for so long and guiding us to a better position than the last 2 playoff seasons.

Gutted sums it up. Such a waste at the end of what was such a promising season.

 

We didn't look like we wanted it and Beaconsfield did. It would have been unfair on them if we had won on that performance, they chased us all over the park for the whole game.

Only 3 shots on target that I can remember, the first of which was the penalty and one of the others was the goal, and a failure to control the ball all over the pitch and Beaconsfield had several decent chances. Then we couldn't see the game out when we were in a winning position.

 

Who knows what happens now, whether the team will stay together, whether the management team will stay, what opposition we face next season. This was our best shot at promotion and we managed to fall away so badly at the end of the season.

 

To be fair though, well done to the players and management for keeping us in the title race for so long and guiding us to a better position than the last 2 playoff seasons.

 

A good and honest post !

[Cookham Rebel]

Have to say Nathan, I agreed with every word of that. A big decision needs to be made by the powers that be over the next few weeks as to whether we actually want to get out of this league, if the answer is yes then unfortunately Steve Bateman has to go. The decisions that have been made with regard to the change of formation since the North Greenford defeat beggars belief as that was not the time to panic, tonight I know we went back to 3-5-2 but we should have changed to a 4-4-2 very early in the game when it was clear on the tactics SYCOB were deploying, we didn't need 3 centre halves to mark Lee Barney, Sweeney should have reverted to right back to take on Osobu and Woozley to left back to cover Mpi with Murphy in front of him!

 

I am just completely baffled by the lack of tactical nouse from the bench, and clueless would not be too strong a word I'm afraid!

[Norton]

And a good number of Premier division club treasurers will be disappointed by Slough's failure..

[Tom]

We should have prayed for more rain...

[PremiershipJoyRider]

Good luck to Beaconsfield in the final against Bedworth.

I was gutted that we lost tonight considering we have been in top or second position virtually all season.

I think Beaconsfield are the surprise package this season and I think most people at the start of the season would have predicted them to be near the bottom of the table fighting relegation.

Credit to their management for putting together a team that now has a real chance of promotion.

The writing was on the wall for Slough before tonights game as we have created very few goal scoring opportunities in recent matches.

Very disappointed with tonights result but the main focus for me is still to have our own ground back in Slough.

[Martin]

I think it is way too soon to be talking of changing the management. We should all calm down after a very disappointing night and reflect for a little longer. If the penalty had been tucked away we won't be having this conversation. The keeper pulls off a good save and that makes a huge difference.

 

Also if a new manager came in you cannot realistic set him a target of winning the league or else. That means you effectively write off next season.

 

Personally I think we need to remember where we have come from under SB and that progress has been made year on year. Stick with him and you can set him a target of promotion next season.

[Tom]

I can see both sides of the argument.

 

For me, I think one of the biggest questions is whether we can continue to play at Holloways Park?

 

I know people won't agree with me but given the fantastic state of the pitch down at Windsor and the fact we know players don't like to play at SYCOB, that could be one of the biggest issues the club faces in attracting players regardless of who may or may not be manager next season.

[DotDotDot]

this is my first comment on this forum and you might call it a bit of a bite but I honestly think some of the criticism about tonights game is out of order. granted we didn't perform to our capabilities but we have played all season (myself not included) for it all to boil down on a cup final. we have showed over 41 games that our strong suit is consistency. the two games we 'bottled' it were hanworth villa & tonight. the cup aspect of it was never going to suit us. I completely understand you the fans pay money

but to question the commitment of the players is ridiculous. also I think the criticism of steve bateman is very harsh, the boys respect him and u doubt his knowledge but he has put a good squad together, without him would slough be where they are now??? the lads are gutted as I know you all are, it's a very disappointing end to the season. I don't want to come across rude as many of u won't even know who I am, but I just feel your not giving enough credit because 2nd place would be enough for promotion in most leagues in England.

[Nathan]

Personally I think we need to remember where we have come from under SB and that progress has been made year on year. Stick with him and you can set him a target of promotion next season.

 

Martin, my point is that we've done that for the past 2 seasons only to come up short when it really mattered.

 

I think the problem is mental as well as tactical, and I think that as far as the team's mentality is concerned, the responsibility lies with Bateman.

[Nathan]

this is my first comment on this forum and you might call it a bit of a bite but I honestly think some of the criticism about tonights game is out of order. granted we didn't perform to our capabilities but we have played all season (myself not included) for it all to boil down on a cup final. we have showed over 41 games that our strong suit is consistency. the two games we 'bottled' it were hanworth villa & tonight. the cup aspect of it was never going to suit us. I completely understand you the fans pay money

but to question the commitment of the players is ridiculous. also I think the criticism of steve bateman is very harsh, the boys respect him and u doubt his knowledge but he has put a good squad together, without him would slough be where they are now??? the lads are gutted as I know you all are, it's a very disappointing end to the season. I don't want to come across rude as many of u won't even know who I am, but I just feel your not giving enough credit because 2nd place would be enough for promotion in most leagues in England.

 

Aaron, I can understand that you want to be loyal to your teammates and your manager, but that bit about the only games we've bottled it being Hanworth Villa and tonight is garbage.

 

Ever since the St Neots game, something has been dreadfully amiss and quite frankly, considering that we are 2nd, the side haven't done themselves justice ever since.

[staines_rebel_Jr]

Some people are over reacting and I agree with Martin and Aaron Eales as I believe that the team and Steve Bateman have done great. 2 nd in the league by a good distance is a more than respectable season in whatever league you are in. I hope that Steve Bateman and the majority of the team stay ( some will leave and that is to be expected as most of them are well capable of playing at a higher level). The only change for next season should be to bring in a few new players and bring in a few of the under 18s.

[williwycombe]

For financial reasons, a love of non-league football and a particular interest in the SL1C because of its local teams, I've seen Slough on a few occasions this season. Having said that, from this experience, I'm not sure if I can apply any knowledge gained from those games to tonight's (now yesterday's) 'cup' match.

 

Play-off semis (especially a one-off game!) are always going to be difficult. I'm not sure if missing out on the title or falling away towards the end of the season had already mentally drained Slough, even before they kicked-off. But I think it's fair to say the Rebels looked nervy and never really got going in what was a dreadful encounter.

 

To SYCOB's credit, they matched Slough all over the park even if their end product (Barney's winner aside) lacked any real quality.

 

I suppose you could make some comparisons with the CSP away game (one of the handful I've seen Slough play this season). Similar to earlier comments, it seemed that Slough didn't really have a 'Plan B' when faced with obdurate opposition and in the end the players got frustrated. (they did on both sides, to be fair)

 

Is this the manager's fault? Possibly. More should've been done to try and utilise the strike partnership of Burnell and Sonner against Beaconsfield. Then again, you can't legislate for your own penalty miss and a deflected winning goal. Football, eh? Bloody hell.

 

You've got the nucleus of a good team. But as a few of you have (rightly?) pointed out, is the man charged with putting all of these components together doing a good enough job? At crucial moments it seems as if his judgement may have been poor. But in a division where only one team is automatically promoted and there are few margins for error, perhaps it's a bit knee jerk to be calling for his head just yet.

 

As I say, I'm a neutral and not a Slough buff so you've all seen a lot more than me. I've waffled on long enough. Good luck for next season.

Edited May 3, 2012 by williwycombe

[Charlie Mpi]

I won't say too much as everyone probably wants to forget tonight but just wanted to say I agree with Aaron and you've probably got to put reactions into perspective of a game that just finished hours ago - I'm a United fan, and after Monday night I'd have happily shipped out half the squad but on reflection it was just fine margins that made a difference (Even City dropped silly points where you wouldn't expect but that's why we love football!) You guys have got to be proud of your team - the points haul of over two points a game is Championship form and you were unlucky to come up against a side with the likes of Stefan Moore and that Junior kid in CM this season! After all Hitchin got 100 odd points the other season and missed out, but sorted it the next year!

 

The boys fought until the end and Bates would have done his best to prepare the boys for this game, playoffs are a lottery and on the night we eventually got the rub of the green. Having been in the camp I know you guys make a difference to the players so stay singing from the same hymn sheet and here's hoping next year's your season!

 

Special thanks to the fans who clapped us off tonight, appreciated the great sportmanship!

[DotDotDot]

well everyone is gonna have their opinion and I just thought I would put mine out there. you as fans may feel you deserve more but I can honestly say every player put a shift in tonight, but came up against a team who got their tactics right on the night. u cant fault the lack of effort tonight- just quality at times. ben abbey doesn't deserve any stick because he showed guts to grab the ball and that's the first time I've seen him miss one all season. just quickly, I know I haven't played bar 5 minutes this season but weirdly it's been my most enjoyable season. great team mates and management and the fans have been great all season. gutted that we are stuck in this league for another season!!! and get well soon swifty!

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

I personally hope we keep the management and the players! Yes we lost today but the reaction on here would be very different if their keeper hadn't saved that pen! Hard luck to bennis and fair play for having the balls to take it but I would be lying if I said he'd be my first choice to take a pen in that situation! We finished second! I predicted 4th I think. I know everyone is gutted esp as we lost some games we should be winning ngu Hayes and Aylesbury- the league was ours for the taking and our 2nd half of the season was no way near as good as the first and this is the outcome! Personally I feel we are only a few players away from a title winning squad. I agree that we have made some tactical fk ups- dropping brown for long periods when - IMHO- he was our best defender was a biggie! Hey Ho! Totally gutted after being to 37 of our league games this season!

I think we need more options as we seemed to be found out by Xmas and had no real plan b.

Gutted! But calling for a new squad and manager would mean a mid table rebuilding season! I for one don't want that! Good luck to sycob against the team I consider to be the best in the league from what I've seen! But selfishly- sorry sycob- hope Bedworth ain't a team in our league next season.