Dulwich Hamlet
2
Allassani (6, 28)
Slough Town
3
W Harris (5), Wells (78), Lench (pen 87)
League
Attendance: 2086
Dan Roberts
After coming from behind to win 3-2 on Saturday, Slough Town repeated the trick on Bank Holiday Monday with a fantastic victory at Dulwich Hamlet.
In sweltering conditions at Champion Hill, the pattern of scoring was also identical, with Slough taking an early lead only to find themselves behind at half time. However, late goals – this time from George Wells and Matt Lench – ensured they would bring the points back to Arbour Park.
For a time on Saturday, Slough were in the relegation zone in the National League South ‘live table’, but two wins in the space of three days puts the Rebels in 15th spot with eight points.
After the match, joint manager Neil Baker was quick to praise his side and spoke of a ‘brilliant performance in disgusting conditions’ – a reference to the fact the game was played in heat of over 30 degrees.
“It’s a really, really good performance from our boys today. We had to ride our luck a couple of times but on the whole, I thought we kept the ball better than them”.
“It was a really good spectacle on a day like today”.
Lench had already fired a shot over the bar before Slough took the lead in only the fifth minute, with Warren Harris – playing in central midfield – popping up to head home a corner at the near post on his 250th appearance for the club.
However, the lead lasted just two minutes. Jeffrey Monakana was released on the right and his low cross was missed by the covering defender, leaving Coventry City loanee Reise Allassani to fire home the equaliser.
Dulwich looked ill at ease with Slough’s attacking play, and both Harris and Lench went close as the Rebels created chances.
But against the run of play, Dulwich took the lead on 28 minutes. A long throw from Jack Connors was met by the head of Danny Mills, whose header was pushed out by Jack Turner, but the loose ball was pounced upon by Allassani, who produced a composed finish.
The home side survived a penalty appeal after Harris appeared to be felled by Aaron Barnes, but Slough went into the interval behind once again.
And the Rebels so nearly almost fell further behind in the 56th minute as a cross from the right was met by the head of Danny Mills, but his header crashed off the crossbar.
Slough’s goal threat intensified - Max Worsfold came close to registering his first goal, and Lench forced a save from goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer on the hour.
The visitors got their reward on 78 minutes with George Wells beating Lewis White in a challenge and smashing a fantastic strike across Maynard-Brewer from 25 yards to bring the scores level and score his first goal of the season.
And with just four minutes remaining, Dan Roberts – who had another excellent game playing as the lone striker – was set free and he was pushed over clumsily in the penalty area by Ben Chapman, resulting in a spot-kick which Lench converted coolly.
In another huge boost for the Rebels, Mark Nisbet made his return as a late substitute in place of Worsfold, after undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
Baker also reserved praise for Warren Harris, who as well as reaching the 250-game milestone, also scored his 50th goal for the club on Saturday before netting again at Dulwich.
“Everyone wants Warren in their side – he might not be the most eye-catching to watch, but he brings endeavour, work rate, honesty and he’s clever. He’s been a pleasure to manage for eight years”.
Image: Philip Benton
In sweltering conditions at Champion Hill, the pattern of scoring was also identical, with Slough taking an early lead only to find themselves behind at half time. However, late goals – this time from George Wells and Matt Lench – ensured they would bring the points back to Arbour Park.
For a time on Saturday, Slough were in the relegation zone in the National League South ‘live table’, but two wins in the space of three days puts the Rebels in 15th spot with eight points.
After the match, joint manager Neil Baker was quick to praise his side and spoke of a ‘brilliant performance in disgusting conditions’ – a reference to the fact the game was played in heat of over 30 degrees.
“It’s a really, really good performance from our boys today. We had to ride our luck a couple of times but on the whole, I thought we kept the ball better than them”.
“It was a really good spectacle on a day like today”.
Lench had already fired a shot over the bar before Slough took the lead in only the fifth minute, with Warren Harris – playing in central midfield – popping up to head home a corner at the near post on his 250th appearance for the club.
However, the lead lasted just two minutes. Jeffrey Monakana was released on the right and his low cross was missed by the covering defender, leaving Coventry City loanee Reise Allassani to fire home the equaliser.
Dulwich looked ill at ease with Slough’s attacking play, and both Harris and Lench went close as the Rebels created chances.
But against the run of play, Dulwich took the lead on 28 minutes. A long throw from Jack Connors was met by the head of Danny Mills, whose header was pushed out by Jack Turner, but the loose ball was pounced upon by Allassani, who produced a composed finish.
The home side survived a penalty appeal after Harris appeared to be felled by Aaron Barnes, but Slough went into the interval behind once again.
And the Rebels so nearly almost fell further behind in the 56th minute as a cross from the right was met by the head of Danny Mills, but his header crashed off the crossbar.
Slough’s goal threat intensified - Max Worsfold came close to registering his first goal, and Lench forced a save from goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer on the hour.
The visitors got their reward on 78 minutes with George Wells beating Lewis White in a challenge and smashing a fantastic strike across Maynard-Brewer from 25 yards to bring the scores level and score his first goal of the season.
And with just four minutes remaining, Dan Roberts – who had another excellent game playing as the lone striker – was set free and he was pushed over clumsily in the penalty area by Ben Chapman, resulting in a spot-kick which Lench converted coolly.
In another huge boost for the Rebels, Mark Nisbet made his return as a late substitute in place of Worsfold, after undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
Baker also reserved praise for Warren Harris, who as well as reaching the 250-game milestone, also scored his 50th goal for the club on Saturday before netting again at Dulwich.
“Everyone wants Warren in their side – he might not be the most eye-catching to watch, but he brings endeavour, work rate, honesty and he’s clever. He’s been a pleasure to manage for eight years”.
Image: Philip Benton
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Jack Turner
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 3 George Wells
- 4 Sam Togwell
- 6 Lee Togwell
- 7 Max Worsfold 15
- 8 Matthew Lench
- 11 Warren Harris
- 12 Joe Grant 20
- 14 Scott Davies
- 17 Dan Roberts 9
Substitutes
- 9 Ben Harris 17
- 10 Manny Williams
- 13 Julian Schwarzer
- 15 Mark Nisbet 7
- 20 Simon Dunn 12
Dulwich Hamlet Lineup
Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Aaron Barnes, Jack Connors, David Ijaha, Yannis Ambroisine, Quade Taylor, Jeffrey Monakana, Ben Chapman, Danny Mills, Reise Allassani, Kieran Monlouis. Substitutes: Ryan Case, Nyren Clunis, Christian Smith, Connor Hunte, Lewis White.