Sam Togwell hits winner at Champion Hill

A single goal courtesy of Sam Togwell was enough to separate Slough Town and Dulwich Hamlet at a packed Champion Hill and give the Rebels a third win in as many matches to end a magnificent 2018.

Coming into the match Slough were forced into one change with Josh Jackman being unavailable, meaning Sean Fraser was brought back in to make his 293rd appearance and take him joint 16th all-time most capped Slough Town players.

James Dobson and Warren Harris returned to the starting lineup in a 4-3-3 formation with Chris Flood leading the line.

Almost immediately from kick off Slough fans had their heart in their mouths as Jack Turner’s kick was charged down but to his relief the referee blew for a handball.

Turner was called upon a few minutes later as Dulwich brought the ball forward after the referee played advantage from a previous foul. Nyren Clunis bore down on goal and struck a shot from distance, forcing Turner into a good save.

Slough responded with some good interplay resulting in Sean Fraser putting in a deep cross which was met by Lee Togwell, forcing a Dulwich defender to clear the ball off the line.

The Rebels had a shout for a penalty around 10 minutes in but it was correctly turned down by the referee. Simon Dunn crossed the ball in and Chris Flood acrobatically hit it towards goal but the ball was immediately blocked by the arm of Michael Onovwigun who knew very little about it.

Hamlet, who returned home to Champion Hill on Boxing Day in front of a sold-out crowd, had the first true chance to open the scoring as Ashley Carew whipped in a dangerous cross to the back post perfectly for Clunis, but fortunately for the Rebels he missed when it looked easier to score.

Around the half hour mark Dulwich had another chance as Anthony Cook brought the ball all the way up the pitch but his shot looked more like a cross as it flew across the goal and wide.

Hamlet kept applying the pressure and some good work between Cook and Jason Banton created another chance as Turner left his goal line and was caught out of position, forcing Fraser to make a goal-line clearance before Guy Hollis eventually cleared the ball to safety.

Slough started the second half brightly with Dobson unleashing one of his powerful long-range strikes forcing Preston Edwards into a top save. Lee Togwell followed up and forced another save but this time it was a little more routine for Edwards.

Moments later Slough had a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box. Dobson struck it straight at the wall with Wells following up, and he saw his shot blocked by an arm forcing another free kick. Flood took the second free kick and, like Dobson earlier, hit the wall. Simon Dunn followed up but flicked the ball just wide of the post.

Dulwich responded immediately with Cook bringing the ball forward and forcing a good save from Turner. It was a fast-paced opening five minutes to the second half in which both teams could have easily scored.

The game then settled down before Dulwich were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Slough box. Carew stepped up to take, but his attempt was high and wide and flew out of the ground.

Two minutes later, a swift counter-attack from Slough led to the only goal of the game. Dobson blocked an attempted pass in midfield and then released Warren Harris down the right, with the Rebels catching Dulwich three-on-two at the back. The winger picked out Sam Togwell, who controlled the ball expertly before firing low past Edwards to give Slough the lead on 63 minutes – his first goal for the club, and one worthy of the number nine shirt he found himself occupying. It silenced the majority of the 2,900 crowd, but gave the large Rebels contingent reason to cheer ever louder.

The game went a little quiet as Slough stayed solid, keeping their shape well and preventing any Dulwich chances from forming.

Following a foul by George Wells, Ashley Carew put in a good cross which was met by Dipo Akinyemi, but he couldn’t get his head over the ball as it went over the bar.

With the light fading and the game nearly over Dulwich had one last chance to draw the scores level. Clunis charged down the right and put in a cross which Turner had to punch away, with the rebound falling kindly to the on-rushing Nathan Ferguson. He hit it towards goal, forcing Turner to react quickly and save the ball with his feet, ensuring a second win and clean sheet in the space of four days for the league’s second meanest defence.

Report: Will Tuck