SOLKHON SO SPECIAL AS LAW'S IN ORDER!
KETTERING TOWN won this opening day clash between two teams much fancied to be challenging for promotion.
Both clubs had successful pre-season campaigns, with the Rebels having gone unbeaten prior to the big kick-off, but that counted for little at Arbour Park as Marcus Law’s Poppies dominated the opening 45 minutes and kept their hosts at bay when they put in an improved showing after the interval.
The opening exchanges were, perhaps predictably, even with both sides feeling their way into the new campaign.
Kettering left-back James Brighton had two efforts from free-kicks, one easily saved by Slough keeper Jack Turner and the other sent over the bar.
Despite not threatening the home goal, the Poppies started to dominate the play – pressuring the home side into mistakes and winning challenges – and the Rebels struggled to gain any kind of momentum.
Kettering deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes.
A free-kick conceded by George Wells was swung into the box by Brighton and Poppies skipper Brett Solkhon flicked a header into the far corner.
The visitors almost doubled their lead just a minute later as Matthew Stevens broke down the right, but his low cross fell just in front of the onrushing Ben Milnes.
Kettering came close a minute before the interval, but Turner kept out a Milnes header.
Slough introduced Manny Williams at halftime in an attempt to turn things around and the Rebels duly livened up.
Matt Lench headed wide from a long throw – the hosts’ first effort – and later shot wastefully wide after Williams had sprinted through on goal.
The Poppies went close again with Stevens beating several challenges but firing wide.
Warren Harris had a long shot spilt by visiting stopper Paul White, but neither he nor Chris Flood were able to create a chance from the rebound.
Turner then kept out a dipping shot from distance and Rebels sub James Dobson stung the palms of White, but the hosts’ attempts looked to be in vain as with a minute left Kettering seemed to have the three points wrapped up as Milnes beat Turner following a clinical break.
Dobson’s 25-yard thunderbolt in added time was Slough’s brightest moment by far, but came too late to make a difference.