Dunstable Town
1
Calcutt (15)
Slough Town
3
Strutton (52), W Harris (72), Mpi (80)
League
Attendance: 142
Nathan Webb
Slough Town bounced back from the disappointment of last weekend's defeat to Stratford in the best possible style, with an impressive victory at Dunstable.
Again the Rebels needed to recover after falling a goal behind, but this time took a firm grip on the game and once Charlie Strutton had pulled his side level, Slough always looked the more likely side to go on and take all three points. Further goals from Warren Harris and Charlie Mpi made sure they did.
Braintree Town loanee Strutton made his return to the starting eleven after being benched against Stratford, and the Rebels were boosted later in the week with the news that he has extended his stay at Holloways Park for a third and final month.
Slough looked far sharper and hungrier from the off, playing neat attractive football and building attacks through midfield. Dunstable goalkeeper Paul Bastock was by far the busier, with the Rebels threatening through Warren Harris, who fired across goal and wide, and Lewis Putman, who forced a corner.
Adrian Sear headed another corner wide after good work from Strutton to win it as Slough heaped the pressure on, but against the run of play it was the hosts who opened the scoring. A long ball forward from Victor Osobu to striker Connor Calcutt was well taken as he ran onto the ball, and he finished past Mark Scott.
Slough went in search of an equaliser, and Sear headed over a Putman cross, before Dan Hicks fired off target from a Putman free kick.
More chances arrived for the Rebels as another free kick from Putman was tipped over by Bastock, whilst Charlie Mpi was also thwarted by the veteran keeper, and Jhai Dhillon shot wide. Half time arrived with Slough somehow still a goal behind.
But seven minutes into the second half, Slough found the goal their efforts had deserved. Strutton followed up after an initial shot was blocked amidst claims of handball, and forced the ball past Bastock before finding the back of the net.
Slough were now well on top, with Dunstable's play predictable in nature and the Rebels able to control the game, particularly in midfield.
And Slough took the lead on 73 minutes through Warren Harris' second goal of the season. Lewis Putman's determined run ended in a strike at goal which was saved, but the winger was on hand to tap the ball in to the empty goal.
Charlie Mpi's goal with ten minutes remaining sealed the three points. Eddie Smith, who had replaced Strutton, worked hard to get into an advanced position and play the ball across goal, which fell to Mpi after a blocked effort from Warren Harris, and he made no mistake from close range to register his 11th goal of the season.
Slough went close to a fourth in the closing stages as Warren Harris headed over at the back post after Mpi had flicked on a free kick.
The game ended on a sour note for Dunstable as experienced striker John Frendo, introduced as a substitute late on, was dismissed after appearing to thrust his head towards that of Dan Hicks in an apparent head-butt movement.
Again the Rebels needed to recover after falling a goal behind, but this time took a firm grip on the game and once Charlie Strutton had pulled his side level, Slough always looked the more likely side to go on and take all three points. Further goals from Warren Harris and Charlie Mpi made sure they did.
Braintree Town loanee Strutton made his return to the starting eleven after being benched against Stratford, and the Rebels were boosted later in the week with the news that he has extended his stay at Holloways Park for a third and final month.
Slough looked far sharper and hungrier from the off, playing neat attractive football and building attacks through midfield. Dunstable goalkeeper Paul Bastock was by far the busier, with the Rebels threatening through Warren Harris, who fired across goal and wide, and Lewis Putman, who forced a corner.
Adrian Sear headed another corner wide after good work from Strutton to win it as Slough heaped the pressure on, but against the run of play it was the hosts who opened the scoring. A long ball forward from Victor Osobu to striker Connor Calcutt was well taken as he ran onto the ball, and he finished past Mark Scott.
Slough went in search of an equaliser, and Sear headed over a Putman cross, before Dan Hicks fired off target from a Putman free kick.
More chances arrived for the Rebels as another free kick from Putman was tipped over by Bastock, whilst Charlie Mpi was also thwarted by the veteran keeper, and Jhai Dhillon shot wide. Half time arrived with Slough somehow still a goal behind.
But seven minutes into the second half, Slough found the goal their efforts had deserved. Strutton followed up after an initial shot was blocked amidst claims of handball, and forced the ball past Bastock before finding the back of the net.
Slough were now well on top, with Dunstable's play predictable in nature and the Rebels able to control the game, particularly in midfield.
And Slough took the lead on 73 minutes through Warren Harris' second goal of the season. Lewis Putman's determined run ended in a strike at goal which was saved, but the winger was on hand to tap the ball in to the empty goal.
Charlie Mpi's goal with ten minutes remaining sealed the three points. Eddie Smith, who had replaced Strutton, worked hard to get into an advanced position and play the ball across goal, which fell to Mpi after a blocked effort from Warren Harris, and he made no mistake from close range to register his 11th goal of the season.
Slough went close to a fourth in the closing stages as Warren Harris headed over at the back post after Mpi had flicked on a free kick.
The game ended on a sour note for Dunstable as experienced striker John Frendo, introduced as a substitute late on, was dismissed after appearing to thrust his head towards that of Dan Hicks in an apparent head-butt movement.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Mark Scott
- 2 Sean Fraser
- 3 Jhai Dhillon
- 4 Guy Hollis
- 5 Daniel Hicks
- 6 Adrian Sear 12
- 7 Lewis Putman 14
- 8 Nathan Webb
- 9 Charlie Mpi
- 10 Charlie Strutton 15
- 11 Warren Harris
Substitutes
- 12 Ryan Hope 6
- 14 Gurkan Gokmen 7
- 15 Edward Smith 10
Dunstable Town Lineup
Paul Bastock (c), Zach Reynolds, Jerome Jibodu (John Frendo), Danny Talbot, James Kaloczi, Luke Pennell, Adam Watkins, Gary Wharton, Connor Calcutt, Steve Wales, Victor Osobu (Jamale McKenzie-Lowe). Subs not used: Lee Roache, David Keenleyside. .