Slough 1st XI 1 – 2 Sonning 1st XI

Sonning travelled to runaway league leaders Slough for their first game after Christmas, after their previous fixture against British Airways was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Hardly ideal in a week when they would face their sternest test of the season to date, on paper at least.
Having dropped their first points of the season away at Marlow, but still with a 7 point lead over second placed Amersham, Slough would be rearing to go and get their season back on track, having defeated their visitors 2-3 in the reverse fixture at Sonning Lane
However, with a full strength side out, it was Sonning who flew out of the traps in their inimitable style after the first whistle. They had the early run of possession, with attacks down both wings probing their opponents, and a series of short corners that amounted to nothing.
The pressure was telling though, and a crash ball in from Ian Gallagher on the right wing was turned in by left winger Rob Crackles, who did well to finish from close range, as the ball was deflected by Slough’s last man. Crackles picked the ball out around hip height and finished confidently. 0-1.

Slough worked their way back into the game as one would expect from a side who have dropped just 2 points all season, and their skilful centre forward made the most of some pinpoint long balls out of midfield. He got several shots away in a spell of 10-15 minutes, including one brought about by a rare lapse in concentration by Sonning’s back line – who donated possession on the top of the Sonning circle. However, keeper Alasdair Allan was equal to all attempts, and made a handful of saves in quick succession. Promising.
Sonning then piled on the pressure once again, with a spell of possession and a few short corners, one of which was eventually turned home by Ian Gallagher, who struck confidently, low and to the keeper’s right from a fairly acute angle. Post-match analysis of the game footage has demonstrated the possibility that Ian Finlayson got a slight nick of the shot as he approached from the injector’s position to cover the post, but the dubious goals panel is giving this one to Gallagher, as the footage cannot confirm 100% either way. 0-2 at the break.

The second half began in a slightly different fashion from the first. Slough dominated possession for long spells and Sonning were penned deep in their own half. Their forwards and midfield worked hard to close down the centre of the pitch and Slough were unable to create clear chances from the wings however. They moved the ball well, and they have some very quick attacking players who were able to win a number of short corners however.

But this was not their day in front of goal, and many chances were squandered, probably fairly out of character for the league’s top scoring side. Sonning possibly rode their luck at times, as is the case in many a great away performance, but more importantly, their back line and goalkeeper were on top form today – shutting down breaks, turning over possession, and making last ditch tackles to shut out their opponents. At the other end, Sonning did continue to create chances of their own, but found no way to extend their lead.
In the last 10 minutes, Sonning were looking tired however, and cracks began to appear. Skipper Jonathan Sharp secured a green card for an over exuberant reaction to the umpire, and in the last 2 minutes a penalty corner plus yellow cards for Sonning’s centre back pairing of Neil Pursell and Tom Sampson left Sonning down to 9 men.

The short corner was converted for 1-2, and the last minute of play was frantic, with Sonning penned back and outnumbered. Slough however couldn’t make the most of it and the game finished 1-2, with Sonning inflicting the first defeat of the season on their opponent, a result which sees them get their way firmly back into contention for a promotion spot. Next up is a potential banana skin game, away at Oxford 2s where Sonning have had some frustrating results in the last few years.

Goalscorers: Rob Crackles, Ian Gallagher
MOTM: Rob Crackles
DOTD: Ian Gallagher (#stitchup)