Rebels Drop Point To Lowly Lewes

Before Saturday Slough had parted with only one home league point all season, and that to rival championship contenders Leatherhead. The visit of Lewes, third from the bottom of the table and without an away win was looked upon as a certain home banker but all the Rebels could manage was a share of the points and Lewes went home cock-a-hoop having unexpectedly earned their fourth away point.

For Slough this was a very poor display. It was obvious to all the spectators that there was a big difference in the class of the two teams. Slough had more than enough chances to have settled the issue beyond all doubt but with ace striker John Ritchie absent the chances just went begging and against sterner opposition Slough would not have been fortunate enough to stretch their run to 24 games without defeat.

It was in midfield that Slough were at their worst. Rarely have all three midfield men been so off form at the same time but in this game they gave little assistance to the forwards and it was fortunate that the visitors. did not put the Slough defence under pressure as little help would have been forthcoming from the middle. Perhaps it was over confidence that caused them trouble but time and time again the ball was booted down the field for the strikers to chase making the job of the Lewes defenders that much easier.

The visitors were not overawed by the Slough reputation and from the start they pressed forward and went in front in the 4th minute. A corner to Slough was cleared quickly and three quick passes saw Cairns 25 yards from the Slough goal well clear of defenders and his fine shot gave Hyde no chance.

In the 30th minute a Cruse corner was headed over the Hill. Two minutes later a Cruse cross sailed across an empty goal face, another minute and a D'Arcy free kick was cleverly flighted to Cruse but the ball was pushed out for a corner before he could get his shot in.

Three minutes later Slough were on equal terms. O'Sullivan collected the ball 10 yards outside the Lewes penalty area and weaved his way through a packed defence before blasting the ball home off the groping fingertips of Lewes keeper Dyer.

Slough were now well in charge and surged forward and it was O'Sullivan again who put in a great shot in the 41st but an equally fine save from Dyer turned the ball for a corner.

After the interval it was all Slough, In the 50th minute Amos broke away on the right and pushed the ball in to O'Sullivan but his shot went straight into the keeper's arms. In the 62nd minute the Slough pressure was so strong that after Amos had a shot blocked by the keeper Lewes had to concede four corners on the trot to keep the ball out of their net.

The visitors had to be content with quick breaks but Slough's very expert defenders gave them little room and interest waned as it became obvious that neither side going to score and even the five minutes of "extra time" charitably donated by referee Reeves could not help what had become a very tedious game.