Rebels Roar Back - Slough Town vs. Chesham United

Decent bank holiday crowd at Arbour Park

The weather continued to ruin things so I opted for plastic again - although a couple of games survived in Kent on grass, including Punjab Sports who had been rained off on Friday. Today's match of choice was Slough Town against Chesham United in the Southern Premier League. Slough currently occupied the final play off spot and had a seven point gap on Royston immediately below them. Chesham having played more games and being nine points behind were pretty out of contention. I'd seen Slough Town at 'home' once before when they were sharing at Beaconsfield and they beat Merthyr on a damp midweek. I'm a big fan of Chesham's Meadow ground and will look to revisit in pre season. The reverse fixture on New Years day ended in a one all draw.

Main stands at kick off

It is the away side who have the best of the early exchanges and the forward heads over after a break out. They take the lead as the attacker is played in with a diagonal ball and he slots past the keeper to make it one nil. Slough's first chance is a well hit low shot that the Chesham keeper does well to get down to. Chesham are then played in again but a poor first touch allows the Slough keeper to come off his line and claim. Just before half time, Slough level in spectacular fashion. The ball breaks to the Slough player 25 yards or so out and he lashes the ball past the Chesham keeper.

Moments after the Slough equaliser

After a fairly quiet start, the second half soon explodes into action. Firstly Chesham find themselves in on goal after a turn on the half way line but the Slough keeper is able to keep it out. Then Slough should really be ahead as the ball is headed back across goal but the resulting shot is hammered over the bar. Slough now build up a head of steam and the Chesham defender does well to block a shot after the keeper had saved a drilled effort. Shortly afterwards the Chesham keeper makes another great save to tip a long range shot over the bar. Chesham are still in the game however and Slough have a bit of luck when a deflected cross bounces off the top of the bar. Slough get the deserved winner close to full time when the ball is squared across goal and this time it is forced in from close range to claim the points.

Slough attack in the second half

Slough was one of the quicker journeys out of town this season. Trains from Paddington take half an hour and the ground is then a fifteen minute walk away. If have time before hand then The Rose and Crown at the opposite end of the high street to the station had three ales on and had the sports channels. If you want something a bit closer to the station then The Rising Sun has the sports channels. Like a lot of new builds, the clubhouse is at the back of the new stand and offers view of the action if it's too cold. They had the usual selection of drinks including their own lager that was quite good. Hopefully back on to grass next week.

Highlights, including the great equaliser at around three minutes can be seen here.

Additional seating opposite the main stand