Derry hits winner as Rebels open with win

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Derry (64)
Chelmsford City

Chelmsford City

0
League Attendance: 639 Matthew Lench
Slough Town got their 2021/22 National League South season off to the perfect start with a single goal victory over Chelmsford City at Arbour Park.

Tom Derry, one of five debutants in the Slough lineup, provided the crucial moment in the second half as he connected with Max Worsfold’s cross to score his first competitive goal for the club following his two strikes against Arsenal’s youngsters in midweek.

Chelmsford came closest to opening the scoring in the first half, with dangerman Charlie Sheringham seeing a header rebound back off a post and into the grateful arms of Jonathan North.

Neither side created another clear-cut chance in the remainder of the half, with Matt Lench firing wide from 25 yards and North doing well to rush out and block as Sheringham bore down on him a minute later.

Slough started the second period with intent, as Max Worsfold saw a strike deflected away in the opening minute. Josh Jackman also had an effort blocked, but the resulting corner kick came to nothing.

City quickly grew into the half, and Tom Wraight tested North from distance on 54 minutes.

Three minutes later came another chance for the visitors, this time Callum Harrison after being played in one-on-one by Sheringham, but his effort was well saved by North.

But despite this pressure, Slough took the lead when Derry met Worsfold’s cross on 64 minutes, the Rebels’ first competitive league goal in front of supporters since the end of February last year.

Both sides made changes as Slough set about protecting their lead, with City only offering long range attempts from substitutes Jones and Adam Morgan, the latter from the halfway line.

With just a minute remaining, Derry almost added his second but his effort cannoned back off the bar with George Hunt unable to latch onto the rebound.

Despite five minutes of added time, Slough held onto their lead to begin the season with maximum points.

Image: Philip Benton

Chelmsford City Lineup

Marsden; Dickens (Morgan 81’), Winfield, Oluwo; Wraight, Dada, Spillane (Dunne 65’), James; Harrison; Jackson (Jones 65’), Sheringham. Unused Substitutes: Norton, Blackwell.

Rebels

Slough Town FC is not responsible for content produced on external websites | Copyright Slough Town FC 2024