Slough Town 1-0 Wealdstone

[Dominic]

Ian Hodges goal secures the win.

[Matt]

It would have been a decent game to watch for a neutral, but it was very very nerve-racking in the last 20 minutes or so as we held out.

 

We went ahead in the 38th min rather fortuitously as an Ian Hodges effort from the edge of the area looked to be on it's way safely to the keeper. He saw it safely by for a goal kick, or so he thought anyway - much to his dismay it actually crept inside the post. Much banter ensued. Just before half-time Wealdstone were awarded a rather dodgy-looking penalty, which was saved by MOTM candidate Jake Whincup, who also made a number of other impressive saves and catches.

 

At half-time we switched formations as Harris replaced Matt Seedal. Hodges could and should have added a second, but the 'keeper saved well. For the last twenty minutes or so, Slough were defending deep and counter-attacking. Wealdstone had a couple of near-misses as we held our breath.

 

Great performance by the defence, with Daly again the rock at the back; Whincup was outstanding IMO and Haddow had a great game too. Decent crowd, good game, could be an important 3 points come the end of the season, who knows.

[Dominic]

Our attendace of 418 was the second highest in the league just behind Ricay v Tonbridge which was 460.

[GarySTFC]

No ex-Southern Leaguers at home today then? Just where has our home support gone? Looked sparse again today as it did against Team Bath & Harrow.

[Matt]

Not sure how many Stones fans were there today, I'd guess around 75 or so - leaving about 340 Slough fans, which is more or less normal isn't it?

[GarySTFC]

I guess. Just looked empty. (Bit like a Windsor game?? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

[Matt]

I know what you mean though - first home Saturday game, I would have hoped for more too. We really need to follow Martyn Deaner's plea to bring others along with us if possible.

[Nathan]

The general standard of passing was abysmal. Our goal should never have been a goal, the 'keeper should have delt with it easily. I expect improvements when we travel to Tonbridge on Tuesday, and if we play like we did today then we will get stuffed.

[Chris]

Not a great game from our point of view - the worst out the three and lucky to come away with all three points, but as we found out at Dover on the opening day the end result counts.

 

Even first-half. Lino missed a penalty for us, but not many chances. We took the lead and sat on it - allowing Wealdstone to take full advantage, Whincup (who now looks a good loan signing yes I got it wrong) made a few saves, although none really testing.

 

Don't think it helped us that Chopper who is naturally a midfielder keopt on drifting which left Hodgey up front on his own which meant we did not keep the ball up front. Seriously need another striker in my opinion, I think Matty Seedel shows promise, but his touch is not there yet.

 

Passing was poor today, but the defence played pretty well I must say. Must learn to keep the ball when were leading and not panic!

 

Two wins out of three though - all good!

[richierebel]

I think there are a few things to take into account at this time of year, one of them is that it is peak holiday season and a few fans will be on holiday, and the other thing is i guess some people will still be playing summer sports like cricket etc. So hopefully it will fill out a little bit more for the salisbury game.

The other thing i want to add is congratulations to the people who make the match day magazine, what a brilliant read it is now, i especially like the player profiles, one little point, could we have a player stats page in there with season and Slough career statistics like we used to?

[Ted]

The attendance of 418 was higher than most last season, and compares favourably against last seasons opening home gates of 275 and 318. That said I reckon Wealdstone brought about 100, in which case our home support is static when it needs to be increasing.

 

Funny game today, dominated by mistakes, often from the ref, but a real howler from the Wealdstone keeper. We gave the ball away far too easily, and Seedel had a mare of a first half. I couldn't really make my mind up if Hodges had a good game for creating some chances, or a bad game for missing them. Still we won and hopefully will get better.

[Radders]

Personally I felt that it was a better performance than Wednesday. Felt me dominated a rather patchy first half and were completely in control for the first 20-25 of the second half. It was the last 20 minutes where we, once again, sat too far back and let them come on, how they didn't score right at the death I really don't know. Whincup was excellent, his ability from crosses just outclassed what we saw last year and his shot stopping, penalty included, was fantastic. Haddow, Daly and Carbon for me also performed well. Felt Seedel was very poor today and wouldn't be surprised if Glen starts with Ian on Tuesday as we looked really good when he came on. Also felt Wilko had a poor game, his passing was just too easy to predict and at times he underhit the ball. IMO I'd like to see a more attacking team put out in future games with Harris and even Steer or Spencer starting. I feel that we have got into an early habit of sitting on low scorelines.

[Ian]

Today we were poor and we got away with it but then again it's only what Dover did to us last Saturday. You can point to things that saved us like Jake Whincup's mammoth performance in goal, Steve Daly's towering leadership at the back or Hodgey's opportunism in front of goal but at the end of the day it's clearly down to my lucky amber/blue trainers - two games, two wins, none conceded and today's golden goal winner as well! Rest assured they'll be making an appearance at Tonbridge on Tuesday! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Martin]

Felt it was our worst performance of the season. But as others say it is the results that count. We were at our best against Dover who then lashed in two scorchers.

 

The last twenty minutes were terrifying a throw back to the game at home to Lewes last year. Startling similarities to that game including a saved penalty.

 

Whincup was outstanding and MOTM in my opinion. I think we have to think of a better song for him though!

 

The defence did well although sat very deep at times. Seedal does look promising but I would expect Miller to get straight back in the team when he gets over his injury.

[Guest]

Good 3 points won even if the performance of the team needs to be improved in the coming weeks and what about the penalty save superb plus the penalty which we should of had early in the game. There was a lot of regular supporters missing from the shed today holidays and sport on tv must be the main reason. Hodgie desparate for a new strike partner to work in tandem with, at the moment he looks out of sorts even though he is scoring also Murphy proved today that he is a superb defender and not a wing back that Eddie says is his best position hope he was joking when he made this remark in the Observer.

[Guest]

Young Jake was outstanding today, he nearly missed the game today because of a knock he picked up on friday, hornchurch did not want him to play but Jake really wants to do well for Slough and i think that really showed today. Get behind him, this youngster is a big big talent and he plays for Slough.In football you take what you are given,3 points are 3 points roll on tuesday!!

[Guest]

Although it was a tense finish, it was very pleasing to see the defence hold firm and get some luck for once as well - how many times in the past would we have lost that match. Whincup excellent, yes. Thought Saulsbury was just the epitome of coolness - always available to take a pass and take the pressure off his fellow defenders.

 

Thought "Mullet Power" Haddow had a better game in his defensive duties than his attacking, which isn't a bad thing - shows he is improving.

 

And Veli.. as much as we love his skill and impudence, he must learn when to release the ball. Too many times he held on to it and lost possession.

 

Agreed, we need another striker.. perish the thought that Hodgie takes a knock or gets a suspension, even this early on you wonder where the goals would come from. Maybe Hornchurch have a striker we can have on-loan with the success rate of Whincup..?

 

Let's turn out in force again on Tuesday night..

[Paul Stephens]

Felt we had a superb game in defense, but our passing was appalling. Hodgey was by far the worst, with a lot of the team following. I thought

1) Jake had a blinder, don't know who picked the official man of the match but it was a travesty. If the goalie saves a penalty and 6-8 other good chances he has to be M of t M not the striker who had a mare passing, scored a "Tony Boot" miskick goal and missed a good chance one on one with the Goalie. (Thats not criticism of Hodgey he had an off day)

2) Hodgey seems to want to play anywhere but up front in the middle. With limited resources we need him to focus on attack.

3) We made it hard for ourselves in traditional Rebel style by doing good work at the back, then hoofing the ball back upfield to a blue shirt. we need to keep possession of the ball and turn defense into attack. Traditionally that sort of pressure has lead to us conceding goals. So..

4) thought the defense was very strong today, steve his usual dominant self, and Murp and Jamie making a number of crucial interceptions.

5) Is some one forgetting to add in the season ticket holders? I make a rough manual count and came out at 450, Usually I am low because of season ticket holders not attending.

 

 

[Guest]

Ian Hodges IS INJURED he has been for the first three games and still is.In an ideal situation he should not be playing allowing time for his injury to heal.

P.S. good centre forward play is not about just standing in the middle waiting for the ball !

[richierebel]

I think it has been obvious that Hodgey has been playing with an injury, i missed the Dover game, but have been to the other 2 games and it looks like he is favouring his ankle. So what do we do now? keep playing him and risk him being injured for longer or keep playing him? its one of those tough decisions, but we have quite a few games in a row now.