UPDATED: Rebels dash Dunstable Town’s faltering title hopes

Two goals in each half saw Slough Town ease to a 4-0 victory over dispirited 10-man Dunstable Town in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Saturday.

Blues made seven changes from their last match, but it failed to rejuvenate sorry Town who have now lost four consecutive league games.

Dunstable’s plans were thrown into disarray after just eight minutes when new signing and former Slough player Kyle Anthony was shown a straight red card for dangerous play.

Slough broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when new keeper Alex Taylor parried a shot, but was unable to prevent Ed Smith from netting from the rebound.

Dunstable regrouped and held off further threats well until right at the end of the half, Nathan Frater lost possession and full-back Ryan Parsons effectively punished his error.

Ten-man Town struggled in the second half and conceded a third six minutes in when the unmarked Smith tapped home a cross from the right for his second goal of the game.

Two minutes later Scott Harris secured an emphatic victory when he scored with a fine header from a corner.

And only resolute defending, including a goal-line clearance from Marc Leach, prevented the Rebels from adding to their score.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “I felt that although on the day Slough were the better team I have to dispute the sending off of Kyle Anthony, as this was a major factor with the game.

“I spoke to all involved and the only person who agreed that it was a straight red was the referee, I have to say that we showed great character in the first half, but two silly mistakes costs us the two goals and then, with 10 men for 80 minutes against a top-of-the-table team, you are always going to struggle.

“We will dust ourselves down have a look and start again.

“I have said that Slough are the best team we have played and again they played well, but we need a win sooner rather than later and we will need to get back in the hunt.”

On Monday Dunstable return to the same ground to play Beaconsfield SYCOB and on Saturday they host county rivals Barton Rovers.

Rebels: Jake Somerville, Sean Fraser, Ryan Parsons, Dave Woozley, Adam Foulser (C), Leigh Rumbold, Scott Harris, James McClurg, Ed Smith, Jake Parsons, Warren Harris. Substitutes used: Darren Wheeler, Adam Cornell Johnny Dyer.

Blues: Alex Taylor, Jerome Jibidou (Tony Fontanelle 46), Ryan Plowright, Joseph Bruce, Kyle Anthony, Moses Olaeye (C, Marc Leach 10), Adam Watkins (Taishan Griffith 71), Newman Carney, Nathan Frater, Terry Dixon, Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Danny Murphy, Jamie Head.

Booked: Griffith; Dyer.

Sent Off: Anthony 8.

Referee: J Creswick.

Assistant Referees: S Hawkes and J Southwell.

Attendance: 262.

Star Blue: Ryan Plowright.