Slough secure first league win

Danny Jordan’s first Slough Town goal helped his side gain their first league victory of the season with a superb 3-2 win at Taunton, despite being reduced to ten men after just a quarter of an hour.

Slough had made the trip down to Somerset full of confidence after a big midweek FA Cup win, and lined up with the same team, except for Craig Roberts replacing the injured Adam Durrant.

Their plans, however, would have to change significantly after just 15 minutes. Luke Evans put in a strong tackle on the edge of the box, and the referee awarded Taunton a free kick. Evans walked back to organise the defence, only to look back in astonishment as he was shown a red card, despite later suffering bruising after emerging worse off for the challenge.

Slough were forced to rethink, reverting to a three-man defence. Despite this, the Rebels went on to have the better of the first half without creating too much, with Matthew Platt coming closest with a fierce shot which hit a defender and then the ‘keeper’s face before clearing the crossbar.

Jamie Jackson made a decent save at his near post just before half time to keep the game scoreless at the interval.

Half time saw John Gray replacing Craig Roberts on the right, in a seemingly bold attacking move by Derek Sweetman.

Slough were looking the more threatening, with Byron Bubb acrobatically volleying over the bar from a Danny Jordan cross.

Taunton had another scare minutes later as a cross from Eamonn McGonigley travelled all the way through the penalty area and bounced back off the crossbar, with Jordan’s follow-up shot blocked.

Slough’s persistence paid off after 53 minutes. A well weighted through ball from Laurence Brown was seized upon by Jordan, whose initial effort was saved. With the striker seemingly fouled in attempting to tuck away the rebound, Matthew Platt got there first to tap in his fourth goal of the season and put the visitors ahead.

The half-time change looked to be paying dividends, with Gray looking a threat cutting inside from the right. The winger saw one effort blocked and a free kick curl just the wrong side of the post.

With an hour played, Slough were awarded a penalty after Byron Bubb’s feet were clipped just inside the box. There was no hesitation about the decision and neither was there any from Dean Harper, who dispatched the kick in trademark fashion, much to joy of the Rebels faithful amassed behind the goal.

Slough were making a mockery of their numerical disadvantage and looked largely comfortable, with Jackson having only to deal with a shot straight at him. A near post header from the resulting corner flashed past his far post and behind for a goal kick.

However on 74 minutes, the hosts did pull a goal back. Gray was left exposed in the right-back position and a ball over the top found Welch, who finished clinically past Jackson to put Taunton in with a chance.

Taunton tried in vain to make their spell of pressure count, but the Slough defence remained resolute, with Harper, Fenton and McGonigley all having fantastic games.

Ten minutes later, and the game looked to be put beyond Taunton as Danny Jordan notched his first goal in seven games. The striker danced past three defenders and turned past another, and without much backlift, struck a bending, dipping effort into the top corner. It was a fantastic goal and a great moment for the striker, who was mobbed by his delighted teammates.

Slough held on until injury time, as Taunton pulled another goal back from the penalty spot. Dean Harper was adjudged to have handled, and Groves slotted the ball under Jackson.

The visitors saw out the remaining moments as a Taunton player got his foot to a corner kick but sent the ball wide. The referee then drew the game to a close, to the delight of the travelling Amber Army, who saw their side cope brilliantly with just ten players for 75 minutes and notch their first league win of the season.