Slough Town 2 – Hereford 2

A Goal For Captain Oates

It was a case of the late, late show at Slough Town on Saturday afternoon, with Hereford leaving it until stoppage time to overturn a two-goal deficit with only ten men on the field. The hosts controlled much of the game, but goals in the 93rd and 96th minute saw the Bulls extend their unbeaten run of away league games without defeat to 51.

Hereford’s back four remained unchanged following Monday’s shaky 5-2 victory over Redditch United, with the only change seeing the ill Billy Murphy make way for Mike Symons.

Attacking the away terrace in the first half, the Whites were first to try their luck, but Eliot Richards couldn’t find the target with six minutes on the clock. The ball was played across to Richards in the middle of the park, but after working the ball onto his right foot, his rising shot cleared the crossbar.

The Rebels came close to equalising from one of a number of free kicks when in the 8th minute James Dobson’s effort from 25-yards was just wide of the far post.

This Slough Free Kick Sailed Over

Despite the numerous free kicks, neither side created much in the way of chances. It wasn’t until the 30th minute when Slough’s keeper was next put under pressure, but Mike Symons’ half-volley was just off target. 

The closest Hereford came to finding the back of the net within the first half was from Eliot Richards’s free kick, but his low driven effort towards the near-post was easily held by the goalkeeper.

With four minutes to go until the break, referee Paul Johnson pulled up with what appeared to be his hamstring. After a PA announcement asking for a qualified official to make themselves known, Slough Town’s Pan-Disability team manager Alan Meredith stepped up to run the line.

Slough were quickly on the attack after the lengthy stoppage, with George Wells bursting into the box and threatening with a powerful diagonal shot which sailed over the bar.

But before half time, the hosts took the lead through Chris Flood. Warren Harris’ accurate cross from the right was met with a flicked header from Flood to open the scoring.

HT: Slough Town 1 – Hereford 0

After the break the Rebels were quick to double their lead, with Ben Harris scoring on his home debut. Keeper Jack Turner quickly bowled the ball out to George Wells on the left, going on an unchallenged run down the flank. A sublime ball into the box saw Ben Harris plant a header past Horsell, who despite being at full-stretch, couldn’t prevent Slough’s second.

The hosts remained on top and came close to a third when, in the 62nd minute, James Dobson’s ambitious lob from range just cleared the crossbar.

Bulls boss Pete Beadle then made three changes in ten minutes, two of which were forced on him through injury. Centre-half Dan Preston and Jack Deaman were both unable to continue, with the latter leaving the field with a sizeable lump on his forehead after an aerial clash with Nathan Webb. Garyn Preen was the third player to be brought off, with Ryan Green, Rob Purdie and Lance Smith the trio replacing them.

Despite the changes, Hereford failed to get a hold on the game with Slough still dominating. One rare chance for the Whites saw the keeper pull of a decent save at the back post to deny Eliot Richards’ free kick. The ex-Merthyr man was then forced off after picking up a knock, and having already used all three of their substitutions, the Bulls had to play the final ten minutes with ten men.

The chances of getting anything from the game were slim to say the least, but Jimmy Oates was able to pull a goal back three minutes into stoppage time. As Nathan Webb lost possession on the edge of his own box, Oates made the most of the mistake and found the back of the net with a powerful strike.

With four of the seven added minutes still to be played, there was a glimmer of hope that Hereford could still get something from the game. And once again, the hosts were penalised for some poor defending as they failed to clear Purdie’s cross. The ball fell nicely for Keyon Reffell, and he made no mistake in drilling the ball home to send Hereford into raptures. 

The Ball Was Cleared But Only To Keyon Reffell

Who Struck It Straight Past The Slough Keeper

FT: Slough Town 2 – Hereford 2

Att: 1,561

In the end, Slough were punished for not being quick enough to clear the ball and realistically should’ve held onto their two goal lead. Even though a draw probably wasn’t a particularly fair result based on the full 90 minutes, it’s still an achievement to score two injury time goals with only ten men.

Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), Pring, Reffell, Preston (Green – 57’), Deaman (Purdie – 70’), Preen (Smith – 62’), Richards, Mills, Haysham, Symons.

Subs not used: Bird, Harris.

Slough Town: Turner, Fraser, Wells, Inns, Nisbet (c), Togwell, Dobson (Smart – 85’), Dunn (Webb – 27’), B. Harris (Wadkins – 61’), Flood, W. Harris

Subs not used: Hollis, William.

Next Game: Stratford Town Away on Tuesday 9th January at 7.45pm

Video Highlights: http://www.sloughtownfc.net/article/1382/Highlights:-Slough-Town-2-2-Hereford

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