Warren Harris hits stoppage-time winner for Rebels

Warren Harris scored a stoppage-time winner as Slough Town recorded their first win of the season at the sixth attempt.

Visitors Bath City held the lead until three minutes from the end, but Manny Williams powered in an equaliser before more late drama in the fourth minute of added time.

Despite Slough having the kick off, Bath managed to create the first chance of the game in just 10 seconds with Tyler Harvey unable to convert from Adam Mann’s cross.

However, Slough settled the better of the two teams and opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Sam Togwell battled well just inside his own half to win the ball. Lee Togwell was able to pick up the ball and play it forward to Matt Lench, who in turn spotted Dan Roberts and was able to play the perfect through ball to the young striker. Roberts held off his defender and hit his shot low and hard across goal, scoring his first Rebels goal with Ryan Clarke unable to save with his feet.

The Rebels seemed to grow in confidence from the goal, but it would be Bath who would create the best chances. On 20 minutes a good ball forward was plucked out of the air by Mann but he was facing away from goal so chose to set up Harvey, whose shot was weak and easily saved by Jack Turner.

A few minutes later Harvey had another chance as the ball spun kindly to him in the box but Turner did well to smother him and save with his feet.

However, on 24 minutes Bath took their chance and levelled the score. Another ball in from the left was controlled by Harvey - perhaps using an arm - who then volleyed the ball in as it fell at his feet.

The confidence seemed to drain out of the Rebels and they started to drop deeper. Following a few deflections as Bath pushed forward, Tom Richards was able to shoot from distance but Guy Hollis cleared with his shin.

But on 38 minutes the visitors took the lead through Richards. After a robust tackle on Sean Fraser, which would force him off through injury to be replaced by Joe Grant, the ball came to Richards in some space around 30 yards out. Taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet, Richards then hit a brilliant curling shot into the top corner.

The half time whistle was a welcome relief to the Slough players who were starting to drop off and allow Bath to control the game.

Slough started the second half in an aggressive manner, pushing forward and closing their opponents down, not letting them breathe in the sweltering sun.

A challenge on Guy Hollis from Harvey forced the Slough defender off the pitch, to be replaced by Manny Williams as Neil Baker and Jon Underwood looked to get their team back into the game. The challenge looked similar to the one from Francis Amartey last week which saw him receive a straight red card and a three match suspension, however Harvey walked away with just a yellow.

Williams made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left he quickly forced Clarke into a good save low down.

Slough were now having the better of the game and were able to push Bath back, earning numerous corners and throw-ins deep in the opposition half. From one corner Lench was able to find Sam Togwell, whose header forced another save from Clarke.

On a now rare counter-attack, an overload on the right saw Mann through on goal but his shot was wild and sailed well wide of Turner’s goal.

Despite the Rebels creating chances, time was running out and they still trailed. On 82 minutes Slough thought they had got themselves back level but Matt Lench’s left-footed shot skimmed the outside of the post and went wide.

A late change saw Ben Harris replace Josh Jackman as the Rebels went all-out attack, and it soon paid off.

With three minutes remaining, Harris flicked on Lench’s corner to Sam Togwell at the back post. Despite the heat and exhaustion Sam still had the calmness to look up and tee the ball up for Williams to hit a thunderbolt through the crowded box and into the net which nearly ripped off the goal posts.

Not content with getting an equaliser, the Rebels smelt blood and went in search of a winner. With five minutes shown there would still be time and chances – and a cross into the box turned into a pinball situation, with Roberts unable to guide his header towards goal and the ball dropping in the middle of the box before Warren Harris found a gap to volley in the winner and send Arbour Park wild.

The first win of the season and a sweet one at that.

Report: Will Tuck