MATCH THREAD: Slough Town v Biggleswade Town

[staines_rebel_Jr]

finished 1-1 and we drop down to 5th for now. still unbeaten

[Martin]

First half thought we were excellent. Played some really nice football and created a number of good chances. Forced one excellent save from Ian Brown.

 

They had a goal ruled out for offside and Sommers spread himself well to make a good save but otherwise felt we limited their opportunities.

 

Second half thought we tired a little and didn't create too many clear cut chances. Went ahead via a massively deflected Harris shot.

 

Had another great chance shortly after to seal the win but a strong challenge from behind saw Harris denied.

 

The waders then equalised with virtually the last kick of the game thanks to what in all honestly was an overhit cross.

 

Shame to concede another late goal particularly for Yorkie and Hollis who I thought were superb.

 

Would have taken this after four games though.

 

Onto Paulton, COYR

Edited August 19, 2014 by Martin

[Chris]

Interesting game. Pretty even, but we were the better side IMO and that first-twenty minutes in particular in the second-half they pretty much got 10 behind the ball and broke quickly & despite us keeping the ball well, I'm not convinced we moved it around quick enough at times though. From what I saw pre-season, this is where Luke Knight will really help.

 

Shame about the last minute equaliser, but from what we've seen so far there is nothing to fear in this league and we keep going as we have played well. We've more than matched every team we have played so far. Just hope JD's injury isn't too bad.

Edited August 19, 2014 by Chris

[Chris]

Agree with Martin was really impressed by Reece Yorke again tonight (and Guy Hollis). I thought we'd really miss Wooz when he left, but Yorke has been excellent in the opening four games.

[Stuntman Mark]

I think some of our football was outstanding tonight but we missed good chances, one down to a genuine world class save. We have been the better team in all the games so far for me, but we have given the opposition good spells in the game.

 

Our central defensive and midfield duos were excellent tonight, it's annoying to concede so late again but there are so many positives from a very young side missing 4-5 key players.

 

Looking forward to Paulton ... COYR !!

[Ian]

Another game where a last minute goal for the opposition makes it feel like a defeat. I thought Biggleswade were a very good team but I also thought we played better than I've seen us play for quite a few seasons. So many good performances.

 

A little more fortune and perhaps the ability to just close of games and we'd be top with a 100% record. I'd have taken unbeaten and 8 points after 4 games however.

 

The disappointment of tonight's result was put into stark context after most people had gone home however, as I stood in the Boardroom and watched Jacko crouch down and spend 20 minutes talking to a very weary Dave Pearcy on his birthday. It was a lovely moment and made the result seem a bit less important.

[Reading Rebel]

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate both teams on what was an excellent game with some real top quality football on show. 

 

First half was very even with numerous chances created by both sides and it has to be said some poor finishing interspersed by one fantastic save by the Biggleswade keeper from a cracking Johnnie Dyer effort.

 

Second half I thought we came out firing, were much the better team, restricting Biggles to defending deep and playing counter attacking football.

 

Took a deserved lead from what looked like a deflected shot and then conceded the equaliser in the last minute from an equally lucky looping cross into the top corner.

 

Some good performances from most of the players with Yorkie, Guy Hollis, George Short and Alex Witham being the pick off the bunch. MOTM for me was Reese Yorke with another top draw performance.

Edited August 19, 2014 by Reading Rebel

[3spirit]

Enjoyable game tonight where Slough for large parts played some great football.Unfortunately being one goal up,never felt enough to see off an organised Biggleswade side,who I actually thought would be better than they actually were.

 

Agree with Martin and Chris that Reece Yorke and Guy Hollis played very well.Also thought George Short had a decent game.In some ways the game resembled the Banbury game,in the fact that we played well in the first half but never took our chances and faded somewhat in the second period although taking the lead.

 

Both goals were flukes but was a draw a fair result?  Perhaps being slightly biased,I thought Slough had the edge but never quite got to grips with Biggleswade which is disappointing.

Like Chris,I agree with him that our intensity and speed play faded and we allowed Biggleswade to get a foothold in the match.

 

Feels like 2 points dropped than one point gained but least we didn't lose.  

[Reading Rebel]

Enjoyable game tonight where Slough for large parts played some great football.Unfortunately being one goal up,never felt enough to see off an organised Biggleswade side,who I actually thought would be better than they actually were.

 

Agree with Martin and Chris that Reece Yorke and Guy Hollis played very well.Also thought George Short had a decent game.In some ways the game resembled the Banbury game,in the fact that we played well in the first half but never took our chances and faded somewhat in the second period although taking the lead.

 

Both goals were flukes but was a draw a fair result?  Perhaps being slightly biased,I thought Slough had the edge but never quite got to grips with Biggleswade which is disappointing.

Like Chris,I agree with him that our intensity and speed play faded and we allowed Biggleswade to get a foothold in the match.

 

Feels like 2 points dropped than one point gained but least we didn't lose.  

 

 

Don't think you're biased. I think any neutral would say over the 90 minutes we were the better team.

 

Finishing, especially first half was our downfall again IMO.

 

The rest of our play was some of the best I've seen for a long time.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Our midfield play was truly superb at times but we lacked that killer finish. The waders increased the pressure second half and I feel we maybe gave them a little too much respect and backed off, leading to the equaliser. I'd take 8 points from 12 in a new league, but gutting that if we could play as well for 95 minutes as we do for 90 we'd have 12 points!

[3spirit]

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate both teams on what was an excellent game with some real top quality football on show. 

 

First half was very even with numerous chances created by both sides and it has to be said some poor finishing interspersed by one fantastic save by the Biggleswade keeper from a cracking Johnnie Dyer effort.

 

Second half I thought we came out firing, were much the better team, restricting Biggles to defending deep and playing counter attacking football.

 

Took a deserved lead from what looked like a deflected shot and then conceded the equaliser in the last minute from an equally lucky looping cross into the top corner.

 

Some good performances from most of the players with Yorkie, Guy Hollis, George Short and Alex Witham being the pick off the bunch. MOTM for me was Reese Yorke with another top draw performance.

 

Don't disagree often with you,RR, but I didn't think Alex Witham played that well tonight.He was ok in the first half but didn't seem at the races in the second half. Wasn't surprised when he was withdrawn.

 

Darryl Thomas had a mixed bag of a game tonight,too.He did that superb turn and left his marker for dead and then in another incident, got himself in a great position to score and then preceded to miss a sitter.

 

Both have been good signings,though and worth having.

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Another very promising performance, but we really need to work on closing out games. I think we've looked like conceding most during the last minutes in every game and twice it cost us, and nearly did against Burnham. We've been a total of about 2 minutes from 12 points from 12.

 

But putting that aside, I think we play some really excellent football and we have little to fear in this league. We do just need to work the keeper a bit more given the number of chances we've been creating. Agreed that our defensive partnerships are looking very strong, been very impressed with Yorke and Moran while Hollis and Parsons continue their good work from last season.

 

Things are definitely looking good so far. Looking forward to every game because of the exciting football we get to see. COYR!

[Rebel Sue]

I think George has stood out in all our games to be honest. Think we played really well very enjoyable game and very happy with the way things are going.

 

Lovely to see Jacko with David.

[stfcsam1972]

Great game of football played by two evenly matched teams. Thought both our goal and theirs were a little bit lucky -  so cancelled each other out. However opposition scoring deep into injury time is always difficult to take. Some of the football by us was top drawer and it was really enjoyable to watch. A solid performance all round and unbeaten after 4 games - that ain't bad!   

[Reading Rebel]

Don't disagree often with you,RR, but I didn't think Alex Witham played that well tonight.He was ok in the first half but didn't seem at the races in the second half. Wasn't surprised when he was withdrawn.

 

Darryl Thomas had a mixed bag of a game tonight,too.He did that superb turn and left his marker for dead and then in another incident, got himself in a great position to score and then preceded to miss a sitter.

 

Both have been good signings,though and worth having.

 

 

As you say, I think we'll have to disagree on this one.

 

I like Alex Witham because he goes about his football in a controlled, efficient way, gets around the pitch and hardly ever loses or gives the ball away which we can be sometimes guilty of.

 

I think last night was no exception, IMO a quietly efficient performance from Alex. 

[Jon Underwood]

Morning all.

 

As always very interesting to read everyone's thoughts on the game. A couple of points I wanted to make having had the chance to reflect.

 

First and foremost I thought it was a cracking game! Two very good sides who gave everything, worked hard and played some great football. Thought we dominated possession for long periods but they always looked dangerous on the break. For Bakes and I we felt this was one of the best 'footballing' displays since we entered in to management together nearly 4 years ago and this is something we were delighted with and very proud of. Thought some of our play was fantastic and once again we could not ask any more from our lads.

 

We have to remember we were playing a side last night who finished 9th last season in their first year at this level whilst reaching the 1st round of the FA Cup. Only 5 sides lost fewer games in the league than they did last season which just shows how tough they are to beat.

 

When you concede two late equalisers like we have done recently it's very easy to think we have some sort of problem with this. If we were sitting back and inviting pressure then I would agree with that view but that hasn't been the case. At Hereford we completely dominated the 2nd half and were under no pressure until a late free kick dropped to their player in the box. Last night Biggleswade had some good spells of pressure in the 2nd half but that is going to happen, we can't be expecting to dominate games for 90 minutes at this level.

 

I'm sure no-one is as sad as me and has noticed this but there were 9 score draws in the Football League last night and SEVEN of these were as a result of late equalisers! Ipswich (93rd), Millwall (95th), Doncaster (92nd), Swindon (90th), Luton (91st), Plymouth (98th), York (82nd). When teams are a goal down they throw everything forward to get a point and it can be very hard to keep them out as this stat shows.

 

As managers the most important thing for us is that we feel we are improving all the time and we are getting every last drop of effort from our players week in week out. We are playing some great football, better than last season in my view, and the one criticism at the moment from me is we are not being ruthless enough and finishing games off. We are all well aware of this and will continue to try to improve.

 

Looking forward to Saturday already!

Edited August 20, 2014 by Jon Underwood

[Ian]

The most pleasing thing for me so far is how quickly the players have adapted to the higher division which is only one step but I think a big jump in quality. Bear in mind it was only a few games ago it was doom and gloom losing at home to Rugby and now we’re holding our own at this level and playing some fantastic football. I thought the step up last night was in part a result of how good Biggleswade were. They broke quickly and were sharp all evening, playing some decent football themselves. We had to be good to match them but for large parts we stepped it up and were actually better than them.

 

All we can expect of the players is they do their best and despite the two late goals they’ve certainly done that and given us performances to be proud of.

[Reading Rebel]

Morning all.

 

As always very interesting to read everyone's thoughts on the game. A couple of points I wanted to make having had the chance to reflect.

 

First and foremost I thought it was a cracking game! Two very good sides who gave everything, worked hard and played some great football. Thought we dominated possession for long periods but they always looked dangerous on the break. For Bakes and I we felt this was one of the best 'footballing' displays since we entered in to management together nearly 4 years ago and this is something we were delighted with and very proud of. Thought some of our play was fantastic and once again we could not ask any more from our lads.

 

We have to remember we were playing a side last night who finished 9th last season in their first year at this level whilst reaching the 1st round of the FA Cup. Only 5 sides lost fewer games in the league than they did last season which just shows how tough they are to beat.

 

When you concede two late equalisers like we have done recently it's very easy to think we have some sort of problem with this. If we were sitting back and inviting pressure then I would agree with that view but that hasn't been the case. At Hereford we completely dominated the 2nd half and were under no pressure until a late free kick dropped to their player in the box. Last night Biggleswade had some good spells of pressure in the 2nd half but that is going to happen, we can't be expecting to dominate games for 90 minutes at this level.

 

I'm sure no-one is as sad as me and has noticed this but there were 9 score draws in the Football League last night and SEVEN of these were as a result of late equalisers! Ipswich (93rd), Millwall (95th), Doncaster (92nd), Swindon (90th), Luton (91st), Plymouth (98th), York (82nd). When teams are a goal down they throw everything forward to get a point and it can be very hard to keep them out as this stat shows.

 

As managers the most important thing for us is that we feel we are improving all the time and we are getting every last drop of effort from our players week in week out. We are playing some great football, better than last season in my view, and the one criticism at the moment from me is we are not being ruthless enough and finishing games off. We are all well aware of this and will continue to try to improve.

 

Looking forward to Saturday already!

 

 

Spot on Unders!

 

Cannot disagree with a word you've said.

 

Last night was some of the best football I've seen us play for a very long time. As you say, the missing link is killing teams off, if you don't your always liable to the sucker punch as we've seen at Hereford and again last night.

[Reading Rebel]

I think it's also hats off to Biggleswade who came to play football which contributed to such a good and open game and great to watch. 

[3spirit]

Before we get carried away,a few words of caution,in that it is only early days of the season.Yes we've started well but teams like Biggleswade are finding their feet,too,and will only get stronger with every game.

 

We've got to be happy with how the team/squad is performing but we've a long way to go.

 

We all have faith in the managers  [except maybe Lino ! ha ha] but Rome wasn't built in a day and we will not get everything going our way.At some point,strong characters will be needed when teams are battering us.That's when we will see if this squad is good enough.

 

Whatever happens,it's refreshing playing teams of a higher quality than that of the mediocre dross of the lower in the table teams of the Central division.