Slough up to eighth with win against Beavers

Goals from Sam Togwell, Dan Roberts and Josh Jackman helped Slough to a home win against Hampton & Richmond, and propelled the Rebels into eighth place.

Joe Grant came into the side to replace Warren Harris, who was unavailable.

Slough got off to a great start with Max Worsfold and Matt Lench getting in some early shooting practice, whilst Dan Roberts’ pace was already proving to be a vital asset. After just three minutes he was able to create himself an opportunity but dragged his shot just wide.

Jack Turner was called upon earlier than he had hoped when new boy Jefferson Louis forced him to make a fingertip save to push the ball onto the crossbar.

On six minutes the early pressure paid for the Rebels. A ball over the top of the defence saw the former Maidenhead defender Dean Inman clear for a corner to prevent Roberts going through one-on-one. Worsfold whipped in the corner and Sam Togwell rose highest at the back post to thump his header past a motionless Laurie Walker.

The match then settled until the 15th minute when the visitors appealed for a penalty but were instead given a corner. From the corner some good passing and movement led to the ball making its way into the Slough box with Sam Deadfield on hand to score from close range. This time it was Slough’s turn to appeal and be turned down as almost every player had their hand raised hoping for an offside flag which never came.

Another quiet period followed until Roberts was taken out by a Hampton defender well off the ball as he and Worsfold looked to counter. Worsfold, now left alone to push forward, was made to go wide and his cross-come-shot looped over Walker and wide.

With the linesman calling over the referee, the Slough bench were expecting the Hampton defender who had fouled Roberts to be punished, but to their bemusement the referee gave nothing and restarted the play.

A few minutes later the same thing happened again but this time to Joe Grant. However, the Slough players didn’t see an advantage and stopped play, with the referee this time showing a yellow card to Ruaridh Donaldson.

In between times, the visitors thought they had taken the lead but celebrations were cut short when they realised the linesman had his flag up for offside.

On 40 minutes a lovely cross from Lench found Worsfold at the back post, but his glanced header went just wide.

Moments later from a Lench corner, Sam Togwell was able to tee up Josh Jackman but his shot was blocked by Charlie Fox. The ball made its way out wide to Lench who took a touch before trying to curl the ball towards the back post but once again Fox was on hand to slide in and block.

But with just a minute to go until half time, the Rebels restored their lead. Simon Dunn was able to find a defence-splitting pass to play in Roberts one-on-one and with his weaker right foot the striker snuck the ball past Walker onto the inside on the post with it rebounding across goal and into the opposite side netting, putting Slough deservedly in front.

The visitors had the second half kick-off, but Slough quickly won the ball back and had a dangerous free kick wide right after a foul on Lench. Worsfold whipped the ball in and Jackman got the slightest of touches to glance the ball onto the inside of the post and in to give the Rebels a two-goal cushion.

At the other end of the pitch, a low early cross gave Jefferson Louis a chance to shoot first time but his effort went wide.

Lench retaliated by taking on and beating two defenders before opening up his body to shoot. Walker was only able to parry and he was lucky the ball just evaded Roberts.

Not long later Worsfold was inspired by Lench and beat his defender before shooting from distance between two players, with Walker once again only able to parry wide but still saving well.

On 55 minutes the Rebels made a double substitution with Grant and Dunn being replaced by Mark Nisbet and Ben Harris, and soon after The Beavers were lucky not to go down to ten men when Tyrell Miller-Rodney caught George Wells with a very high boot as Wells tried to head the ball.

Slough began easing off the pace in the unusual September heat, and it nearly cost them when Danilo Orsi-Dadamo hit the outside of the post with his header. And shortly after, Deadfield had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Slough made their final change on 73 minutes with Manny Williams making his 99th appearance in place of Roberts. And the veteran striker was soon involved in some exquisite play when he, Worsfold, Lench and Wells broke through the defence leaving them bemused as to where the ball had gone. From this move, Lench was able to shoot with Walker doing well to save and clear just before Ben Harris could swipe the ball in.

A few minutes later there were hearts in mouths with a scramble in the Slough box resulting in several Hampton chances, but finally Lee Togwell was able to clear the ball long down field.

There was one final scare when substitute Zac Joseph thought he had a consolation goal only for the offside flag to once again deny his team.

That makes eight games unbeaten for Slough as they move up to eighth place before the short trip to Flackwell Heath in the Emirates FA Cup next Saturday.

Report: Will Tuck
Image: Philip Benton