Rollercoaster ride in store for Slough Town

Rob Stevens • Published 22 Mar 2012 14:20 0 Comments

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SLOUGH Town manager Steve Bateman declared now is not the time to be reflecting on what might have been as the race for the Southern Division One Central title heats up.

Bateman also insisted the Rebels must take full advantage of any twists and turns in the remaining six weeks of the season.

Slough surrendered top spot for the second time this year after a recent shock home defeat to struggling North Greenford, and St. Neots Town moved three points clear with victory at Bedworth United in midweek.

"We've got to try and win every game and take care of our own results, that is all we can do," Bateman told the Observer.

"There are a whole number of teams that still have chances of getting in the play-offs so there are very few dead games.

"The remaining 21 points are not going to be given away by any side, you have to earn them.

"St. Neots' games are by no means easy, everyone will want to beat them.

"The likes of Uxbridge and Biggleswade Town are chasing promotion, it won't be easy for them."

The Rebels supremo continued: "They will be more twists and turns and we've got to hope we can take advantage of them.

"Now is not the time to be reflecting on what might we've been, we've just got to stay hot on their heels.

"We've got to hang in there and maybe look to be a little more gung-ho than we have been."

Slough did return to winning ways last weekend with a 2-1 win against Biggleswade at Holloways Park thanks to Danny Murphy's late equaliser and Ben Abbey's injury time winner.

Bateman added: "That's as well as I've seen Biggleswade play against us, we've tended to cope with them quite comfortably in the past.

"For 85 minutes it looked like being back-to-back defeats for the first time in a long time but we dug deep and did what we needed to do.

"We didn't do it the way I hoped we would but performances are secondary when you are in a straight shoot-out.

"The positives are we showed a lot of character, bouncing back from a disappointing midweek result."

Slough's title pursuit has, however, been dented with news that Lloyd Owusu has played his last game for the club.

The star striker has decided to hang up his boots and move to Australia to concentrate on his coaching badges.

But Bateman was quick to praise all that he has done in two spells with the Rebels adding: "For all he's achieved he's still that down to earth lad who loves his football.

"He's had a real positive influence on us.

"I didn't use him much because I knew he was off and didn't want us to be relying on him.

"The spell he had in Adelaide made a lasting impression on him and he's going out there to live and do his coaching badges.

"He's had a fabulous career but what's noticeable is he's no different now then when I first set my eyes on him."

Slough continue their bid for the Division One title on Saturday when they travel to Ashford Town (Middx) (3pm kick-off).

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