Hungerford Town
1
Orsi-Dadomo (65)
Slough Town
2
Nisbet (2), Ekpiteta o.g. (32)
League
Attendance: 408
Francis Amartey
There was no curse for the March Managers of the Month in National League South, as Slough extended their recent unbeaten run with this success at Hungerford Town.
Neil Baker and Jon Underwood were confirmed as the winners of the monthly award on Friday, and came up against another in-form side on Saturday, with the Crusaders having taken 11 points from their previous five matches.
However, Hungerford defender Marvel Ekpiteta - who won the divisional Player of the Month award – did find himself struck by a curse as he turned the ball into his own net for Slough’s second goal as he tried to clear.
It was a perfect start for Slough, who took the lead with under two minutes played. George Wells’ strike from outside the box was blocked but fell kindly to Mark Nisbet, who reacted with the instincts of a seasoned striker to control the ball and place it beyond goalkeeper Michael Luyambula.
Slough went close to doubling that lead as Lee Togwell was close to connecting with a Matt Lench cross.
Hungerford showed signs of threat in attack also, and Jack Turner had to come out of his goal to intercept when Darren Foxley was played in. Shortly after, a stinging shot from Mike Jones was turned over well by Turner.
Simon Dunn played in the lively Francis Amartey – who worked hard as a lone striker – but his effort was turned behind by Luyambula, with Lee Togwell heading the resulting corner kick over the bar.
But from the next corner, the Rebels found the back of the net again, this time in fortuitous circumstances. Lench’s delivery fell to Ekpiteta, who in trying to clear, could only succeed in playing the ball into his own goal.
Five minutes before the break, Slough had Turner to thank again when he flung himself across his goal to keep out Marcus Johnson-Schuster’s delicately-flighted free kick.
The Crusaders started the second half by finding the net, but Ekpiteta was offside when he touched home Danilo Orsi-Dadomo’s cross-shot.
More chances came for Slough, with Amartey feeding Lee Togwell, only for Luyambula to save with his feet. Amartey also had a chance to lob the Hungerford keeper as Togwell returned the favour, but Hungerford got men back and were able to clear the danger.
Hungerford pulled a goal back on 65 minutes when Orsi-Dadomo showed excellent control to take the ball past Nisbet and Lee Togwell before firing past Turner from a narrow angle.
Five minutes later, Slough felt they should have been given the chance to regain their two-goal lead as Lench appeared to be fouled in the penalty area, but nothing was given.
Moments later, play moved to the other end of the pitch and Guy Hollis was dismissed for a second yellow card following a poor tackle on Rhys Kavanagh on the touchline.
Amartey had another chance to increase Slough’s lead but he blazed wide after taking a pass from Lench.
Noah Chesmain lined up a long-range shot which Turner tipped around the post with just 11 minutes remaining, and Slough introduced substitutes in an attempt to tighten up, with Josh Jackman replacing Lench.
Amartey had one final chance to put the game to bed, but again Luyambula made a good save low to his right to deny him.
Slough held on to claim another gutsy three points and can now look forward to welcoming Welling United to Arbour Park next Saturday.
Neil Baker and Jon Underwood were confirmed as the winners of the monthly award on Friday, and came up against another in-form side on Saturday, with the Crusaders having taken 11 points from their previous five matches.
However, Hungerford defender Marvel Ekpiteta - who won the divisional Player of the Month award – did find himself struck by a curse as he turned the ball into his own net for Slough’s second goal as he tried to clear.
It was a perfect start for Slough, who took the lead with under two minutes played. George Wells’ strike from outside the box was blocked but fell kindly to Mark Nisbet, who reacted with the instincts of a seasoned striker to control the ball and place it beyond goalkeeper Michael Luyambula.
Slough went close to doubling that lead as Lee Togwell was close to connecting with a Matt Lench cross.
Hungerford showed signs of threat in attack also, and Jack Turner had to come out of his goal to intercept when Darren Foxley was played in. Shortly after, a stinging shot from Mike Jones was turned over well by Turner.
Simon Dunn played in the lively Francis Amartey – who worked hard as a lone striker – but his effort was turned behind by Luyambula, with Lee Togwell heading the resulting corner kick over the bar.
But from the next corner, the Rebels found the back of the net again, this time in fortuitous circumstances. Lench’s delivery fell to Ekpiteta, who in trying to clear, could only succeed in playing the ball into his own goal.
Five minutes before the break, Slough had Turner to thank again when he flung himself across his goal to keep out Marcus Johnson-Schuster’s delicately-flighted free kick.
The Crusaders started the second half by finding the net, but Ekpiteta was offside when he touched home Danilo Orsi-Dadomo’s cross-shot.
More chances came for Slough, with Amartey feeding Lee Togwell, only for Luyambula to save with his feet. Amartey also had a chance to lob the Hungerford keeper as Togwell returned the favour, but Hungerford got men back and were able to clear the danger.
Hungerford pulled a goal back on 65 minutes when Orsi-Dadomo showed excellent control to take the ball past Nisbet and Lee Togwell before firing past Turner from a narrow angle.
Five minutes later, Slough felt they should have been given the chance to regain their two-goal lead as Lench appeared to be fouled in the penalty area, but nothing was given.
Moments later, play moved to the other end of the pitch and Guy Hollis was dismissed for a second yellow card following a poor tackle on Rhys Kavanagh on the touchline.
Amartey had another chance to increase Slough’s lead but he blazed wide after taking a pass from Lench.
Noah Chesmain lined up a long-range shot which Turner tipped around the post with just 11 minutes remaining, and Slough introduced substitutes in an attempt to tighten up, with Josh Jackman replacing Lench.
Amartey had one final chance to put the game to bed, but again Luyambula made a good save low to his right to deny him.
Slough held on to claim another gutsy three points and can now look forward to welcoming Welling United to Arbour Park next Saturday.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Jack Turner
- 2 Sean Fraser
- 3 George Wells
- 4 Guy Hollis
- 5 Mark Nisbet
- 6 Lee Togwell
- 7 Sam Togwell
- 8 Matthew Lench 12
- 9 Simon Dunn 14
- 10 Francis Amartey 16
- 11 Warren Harris
Substitutes
- 12 Josh Jackman 8
- 14 Billy Clifford 9
- 15 Louie Soares
- 16 Dan Roberts 10
- 18 Manny Williams
Hungerford Town Lineup
Michael Luyambula, Marcus Johnson-Schuster, Noah Chasmain, Mike Jones, Marvel Ekpiteta (c), James Rusby, Cameron Hargreaves, Alfy Whittingham, Danilo Orsi-Dadomo, Rhys Kavanagh, Darren Foxley. Substitutes: Conor Lynch, Tommy Rees, Richie Whittingham, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist, Callum Willmoth.