Rebels downed by Dolphins

James Dobson's late goal is not enough as Slough are defeated at table-topping Poole Town.

Poole Town maintained their status as league leaders with a narrow victory over Slough at the Tatnam ground.

Keith Emmerson’s 30-yard wonder strike a low free kick from Steve Devlin won the game for the high-flying ‘Dolphins’, with James Dobson’s late strike, his third of the season, not enough to spark a comeback.

Devlin spurned the first chance of the match after seven minutes, with his shot just clearing Jake Somerville’s crossbar. Later on, Carl Preston set up Josh O’Hanlon, whose effort was sliced wide, and on 27 minutes, Preston combined with Emmerson before the ball was drilled across the box, with Devlin shooting just over.

For the Rebels, Dobson fired just past the post after being found by George Frith after a break-away.

Poole created the better chances, and Jamie Whisken fired wide from the edge of the area, with Sean Fraser clearing off the line soon after.

Half-time arrived with the game still goal-less, but Slough started the second strongly, with Johnnie Dyer just missing Dobson’s cross-shot.

Poole took the lead in the 54th minute. After a foul on Luke Burbidge, Devlin struck a low free-kick sweetly into the bottom corner, giving Somerville no chance.

Just eight minutes later, Emmerson scored a stunning second to put the game almost beyond Slough. He drove at the Rebels defence before cutting inside and blasting the ball into the top corner on his right foot from outside the box.

In response, Slough threw on Darryl Thomas, Alex Witham and Adam Cornell, and Reece Yorke tested goalkeeper Hutchings.

Slough were frustrated until five minutes before the end, when Dobson’s goal set up a nervy finale. The left winger ran at the Dolphins defence and beat Hutchings with a low drive after exchanging passes with Cornell.

Dobson went agonisingly close to rescuing a point at the death, but his effort was well saved by Hutchings, with the keeper just able to gather the ball at the second attempt with Cornell lurking – but Poole held on to claim a deserved three points and extend their winning run to seven games.