Truro City
3
Thompson (17), Harvey (pen 90+1), Ziboth (90+4)
Slough Town
3
Lench (45), W Harris (74), Amartey (75)
League
Attendance: 552
Jack Turner
Slough Town ended their National League South season with a thrilling encounter in Cornwall.
Despite a long journey, The Rebels looked bright early on as Billy Clifford almost found Matt Lench waiting at the back post, but his cross narrowly evaded the midfielder.
In their first real flurry forward, it would be the hosts who would take the lead in the 17th minute, Niall Thompson’s cleanly struck half-volley beating Jack Turner to put the White Tigers ahead.
The goal shifted the momentum completely with Truro piling on the pressure, and just one minute later George Wells was forced to produce a spectacular clearance off the line with his heel.
The Rebels would continue to grow into the game once again, with Francis Amartey played through in the 35th minute. The young striker beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Alexis Junior, but his shot was cleared off the line.
On the stroke of half time Slough, would equalise through Lench. A wonderfully weighted cross-field pass found its way to the midfielder and gave him space to put the Rebels on level terms with a fine strike into the corner.
With results elsewhere deciding the polarising fates of these the two sides, there was a big second half to come.
Slough started the second half on the front foot with multiple early chances, most notably Amartey having his effort one-on-one stopped by Junior.
Turner may have been disappointed with the opening goal from the hosts in the first half, but he more than made up for it in the second with a succession of spectacular saves. After saving a one-on-one, Turner later produced another brilliant save from Dan Rooney.
Slough would take the lead in the 74th minute through substitute Warren Harris, the winger finding his way in behind the Truro defence before finishing emphatically.
And it would be two goals in two minutes for the Rebels as Amartey netted just one minute later. Following fine work from Dan Roberts - making his first start in a Slough shirt - Amartey poked home on the line to double Slough’s advantage.
However, these goals did not confirm three points for The Rebels as Truro scored twice late on. Firstly, a penalty was awarded in the 90th minute which was converted by Tyler Harvey, reducing the deficit to one.
Then, in the last minute of additional time, Truro netted once again. Steven Ziboth bundled the ball over the line to nick a point for the Cornish side.
A point was not what either side wanted, but results elsewhere had already dictated the fate for both teams. Wealdstone’s victory over Hemel Hempstead Town meant Slough would have missed out on seventh place even if they had won, whilst a win would not have been enough for Truro to remain in National League South due to Hungerford Town’s late equaliser against East Thurrock United.
Slough Town finish their first season back in Step 2 of non-league football in a very creditable 11th place, just three points outside the play-off spots, with much to look forward to in their next campaign.
Report: Sam Collard
Despite a long journey, The Rebels looked bright early on as Billy Clifford almost found Matt Lench waiting at the back post, but his cross narrowly evaded the midfielder.
In their first real flurry forward, it would be the hosts who would take the lead in the 17th minute, Niall Thompson’s cleanly struck half-volley beating Jack Turner to put the White Tigers ahead.
The goal shifted the momentum completely with Truro piling on the pressure, and just one minute later George Wells was forced to produce a spectacular clearance off the line with his heel.
The Rebels would continue to grow into the game once again, with Francis Amartey played through in the 35th minute. The young striker beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Alexis Junior, but his shot was cleared off the line.
On the stroke of half time Slough, would equalise through Lench. A wonderfully weighted cross-field pass found its way to the midfielder and gave him space to put the Rebels on level terms with a fine strike into the corner.
With results elsewhere deciding the polarising fates of these the two sides, there was a big second half to come.
Slough started the second half on the front foot with multiple early chances, most notably Amartey having his effort one-on-one stopped by Junior.
Turner may have been disappointed with the opening goal from the hosts in the first half, but he more than made up for it in the second with a succession of spectacular saves. After saving a one-on-one, Turner later produced another brilliant save from Dan Rooney.
Slough would take the lead in the 74th minute through substitute Warren Harris, the winger finding his way in behind the Truro defence before finishing emphatically.
And it would be two goals in two minutes for the Rebels as Amartey netted just one minute later. Following fine work from Dan Roberts - making his first start in a Slough shirt - Amartey poked home on the line to double Slough’s advantage.
However, these goals did not confirm three points for The Rebels as Truro scored twice late on. Firstly, a penalty was awarded in the 90th minute which was converted by Tyler Harvey, reducing the deficit to one.
Then, in the last minute of additional time, Truro netted once again. Steven Ziboth bundled the ball over the line to nick a point for the Cornish side.
A point was not what either side wanted, but results elsewhere had already dictated the fate for both teams. Wealdstone’s victory over Hemel Hempstead Town meant Slough would have missed out on seventh place even if they had won, whilst a win would not have been enough for Truro to remain in National League South due to Hungerford Town’s late equaliser against East Thurrock United.
Slough Town finish their first season back in Step 2 of non-league football in a very creditable 11th place, just three points outside the play-off spots, with much to look forward to in their next campaign.
Report: Sam Collard
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Jack Turner
- 2 Sean Fraser
- 3 George Wells
- 4 Guy Hollis
- 5 Sam Togwell
- 6 Lee Togwell
- 7 Billy Clifford
- 8 Matthew Lench 12
- 9 Manny Williams 15
- 10 Francis Amartey 16
- 11 Dan Roberts
Substitutes
- 12 Josh Jackman 8
- 14 Mark Nisbet
- 15 Warren Harris 9
- 16 Louie Soares 10
- 18 Ben Harris
Truro City Lineup
Alexis Junior, Billy Palfrey, Connor Riley-Lowe, Nicholas Grimes, Jamie Richards, Austen Booth, Dan Rooney, Chris Regis, Niall Thompson, Tyler Harvey. Substitutes: Noah Keats, Jason Banton, Steven Ziboth, Jordan Copp, Harvey Rivers.