Mixed feelings

[Martin]

Strange game really, Harlow dominated the early part of the game and somehow failed to score. Slough then looked relative comfortable without really threatening. Sam Winston scored a fantastic individual goal that he created from nothing. There goal was a farce and can only be as a result of poor communication at the back. But one thing stood out, the shocking referee. He never gained control of the game and let too much go from the start. He was dreadful from then on, mising vast parts of the game particularly the man handling from the defence. He completely missed a foul on Veli in the build up to their goal and that stabdard of refereeing is deeply frustrating. I know I see things through amber tinted spectacles but he was [****!!****]. I feel Harlow deserved a point but as they did not appear to be able to hit a cow's [****!!****] with a banjo you can't help but feel it is two points lost.

I was also disappointed with our team selection, Spencer and Hale MUST start ahead of Boot who is too lightweight and Bubb who was shocking today. We also need a replacement for Gilkes who cannot last 90 minutes.

Perhaps I should be glad as we did not lose but now lets win in the Cup. Come on you Rebels!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/director.gif" alt="" />

[Chris]

Good result!

 

We could have easily have lost the match in the opening ten minutes with the chances they had. Thought the selection of Boot ahead of Hale was very strange. Harlow are a big side and won everything in the air and everything was aimed at Sammy who is not the greatsest at heading. I know Hale had a poor game at Uxbridge, but when he came on tonight he gave them something to think about and Hale and Sammy are a better combination in my opinion. Also thought Spencer should have started as well.

 

As for the result, well Harlow were by far the best side we have played this season and now we have played Harlow, Northwood and Hornchurch and not lost we can now pick up some easier points against some of the poorer sides in the league.

 

Still level on points at the top with Harlow, but they have a better goal difference.

[Guest]

One of the main things that could stop us this season is Team selection,Hale is far superior than Tony Boot(then I imagine most strikers are) is he some ones relation?And I take back what I thought of Spencer,we look much more solid with him than Mr.Bubb.Sammy is getting all the goals,but we need others to score as well.

Finally did I not say that Mr.Gilkes could play a bit?

[Guest]

Tend to agree with Chris here . I thought we were poor tonight but got a good point . Improved in 2nd , but even tho' Harlow were long ball players (and we did that as well - KEEP IT ON THE FLOOR !!) and couldn't hit a cows [****!!****] with a banjo , I felt they deserved to win it . Byron Bubb was never in it , it tok me 35 minutes to realise Boot was playing and if it weren't for Steve Daly and Dean Palmer we'd got stuffed as did anybody else notice Ricky Browne ? His positioning was dreadful and tackling was non existent .

 

Fair play to the Harlow fan with the air raid siren ! Wonder if we could have it each week when the opposition have a cross/corner !! Tho' Zepherin did make some good saves tonight .

[Guest]

Have to say I totally disagree about Gilkes. He looked more alive in the second half than in the first and ran everywhere for the entire 90 minutes. It seems many people have a bad impression of him from last season but when he plays like that I don't see how there can be complaints. Also I just have to ask about the four or five mindless fans along the far side who, for the entire second half were shouting for Metcalfe to be taken off. WHY!!!!! I thought he had an excellent game tonight and looked more solid than Hakki at times. Certain Slough fans have never seemed to appreciate the workmanlike midfielder, Danny Bailey, Dave Rainford, etc, spring to mind. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smilie_switch.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

It's the first time I have been to see the Rebels this season - and what a difference from last season. Last night Sam Winston was fantastic, a genuine goalscorer, who stands out having scored 7 so far now. To me the defence looks stronger, shame about Palmer's own goal, what was he thinking? I hope he gets over the embarrasment quickly because he looks a very good defender, great when going forward with purpose. I agree with you about Boot, he is a bit on the small side and looked ordinary. And Veli Hakki is just an awesome talent, lets hope we don't lose him. I was sceptical about our chances of going up when I saw us creep up to 1st but now I think, along with Harlow, we will be there at the end of the season. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif" alt="" />

[GarySTFC]

Well Gilkes put in an improved performance last night, but was still drifting in and out from the wing on occasions. We're fortunate to have Barrowcliff back there playing behind him, a lesser full back would be slaughtered.

 

I thought last night we were going to get tonked. Harlow started really well and settled well controlling the midfield for the opening 20 minutes or so not allowing Mets or Hakki any time on the ball and as a result, the service to Boot and Winston was almost non-existant. Harlow hit the post and the bar as we struggled to cope with their movement and especially their number 11's trickery and pace.

 

Note to the team: Play balls into Tony Boot's feet. He's not that tall compared to centre backs and therefore won't win much in the air.

 

Lucky to get to half time at 0-0 we improved a great deal in the second half and seemed to move the ball around like we can (After both goals - I missed ours <img src="/forums/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />) and nearly snatched it when Haley came on and brought a good save from a solid looking young keeper late on.

 

What did disappoint me last night was that:

 

a) Hale didn't start in place of Boot

Free kicks - almost all were woeful

c) Crossing - With the exception of a few from Gilkes - v.poor

d) Continual high balls to a short striker

e) Being outsung by Harlow and that bloody irritating air raid siren!

f) The attendance overall. Was expecting over 400 again given our run

g) Programmes!!! Frustrating instance of what was going on. Shouldn't have happened, and I hope the fine gets routed to the individual who let the club down.

[Guest]

I thoroughly enjoyed myself last night. Good crowd (though thought it might have been better), good atmosphere and some good football at times from both sides.

 

We stated out by missing a host of early chances, very much like the corresponding fixture last season, and thought it wasn't going to be our night after we hit the post/bar twice (having hit it twice on Saturday v Thame a well). We were a bit worried as we were missing two of our wingers who would have caused a bit of havoc, but their replacements did extremely well.

 

I thought you knocked the ball around really well, especially when we we under pressure in the 2nd half, but the fact our whole team held strong and seemed to want it gives me a bit more confidence.

 

Some obsevations:

 

a. Tony Boot played a few games for us last year and is better wiht the ball at his feet. I'd still rather have the exprience of Hale at htis level though.

 

b. Enjoyed our singing last night and love the acoustics at your ground. And remember, no matter how annoying the air raid siren is from your end, it's much worse when you're standing next to the bloody thing!

 

c. Programmes. The printering equipment must go on the blink when it has to print the word "Harlow". We came to you last season and the progs hadn't been delivered and it happened again! What chance of still getting hold of a couple?

 

I think both of us will be there or there abouts come the end of the season, though with only two promotion spots, it's going to be tougher to gain promotion. Still, we're in with a good shout and that'll do me at this stage.

 

[Guest]

Would agree with everything that arlowman has said above.

 

Frankly I find it unbelievable that, for the second season in a row, I have come away from your ground without a programme. It's a good way of losing money, especially when there is a half decent Tuesday night crowd present.

 

As for the game, it goes without saying that Slough were the best side that we've come across so far this season (although Hemel are good). However, if one of out three injured strikers were fit, I'm sure that we would have come away with the points. I actually think that compared to last year, Harlow are playing more football now-the players are still getting used to each other and if we are performing this at present, then the future could be good.

 

I enjoy Slough's brand of football-very pacy and attractive to watch. If both teams could go up I'm sure that we would both be assets to the Premier Division.

[Guest]

Send a stamped addressed envelope ! and we will get you a programme read mine last night at the reserves match !

 

send to me : STSA secretary

143 Knolton way

Wexham Court

Slough

Berkshire

SL2 5SP

 

I will do my best to get one to you !

 

And Apologies from us at Slough for not getting you a programme on the night - the printer lost the money - not us !!!

 

Cheers and good luck..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/yelrotflmao.gif" alt="" />

[Chris]

You sure you were there Chris, I did not see you? Sure you are not going a little mad in your old age! <img src="/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />