Wealdstone
2
Efete (2), Lafayette (29)
Slough Town
1
Bird (81)
League
Attendance: 1289
Lee Togwell
Slough Town suffered only their second defeat in 18 National League South matches with this reverse at league leaders Wealdstone, who avenged their Boxing Day defeat at Arbour Park.
First half goals from Michee Efete and Ross Lafayette proved crucial for the clinical Stones, with Ryan Bird’s bullet header nine minutes from time not enough to salvage a point for the Rebels.
Slough were denied the services of George Wells, who failed a late fitness test, with Josh Jackman slotting into the left back berth.
The hosts took less than two minutes to surge in front, with Efete emphatically firing past Jack Turner and into the bottom corner after Dennon Lewis had surged down the right and pulled the ball back.
Slough responded with Dan Roberts glancing the ball wide from a Scott Davies cross, whilst Warren Harris volleyed just past the post. Minutes later, Efete combined with Jack Jebb on the right, and the latter forced Turner into a fine save.
The visitors went closer still on 28 minutes with Lee Togwell striking a powerful shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection and required Harvey Isted to react quickly to turn the ball away.
Shortly after, the hosts doubled their lead courtesy of top scorer Lafayette. Jerome Okimo worked his way down the left and played a ball into the striker which Bird was unable to cut out – and Lafayette coolly took advantage, gliding past Sam Togwell before firing past Turner at his near post.
Wealdstone continued to threaten and went close again as Jacob Mendy fired over after Dennon Lewis found him in the box.
Slough moved quickly to change things seven minutes into the second half, with Francis Amartey replacing Warren Harris.
Lafayette almost made it three early in the second period, but his flick from Mendy’s cross was deflected over.
Slough made further changes in order to try and get back into the match, and substitute Manny Williams went close a minute after his introduction, shooting just past the post after a flowing move.
Later, Isted was required to make an important save on 72 minutes after Ben Harris robbed a defender and squared to Amartey, but the striker’s effort lacked power.
The visitors kept putting the pressure on, and Williams saw a goal chalked off for offside. Then, with nine minutes left Bird rose highest in the box to power a header past Isted from Max Worsfold’s pinpoint cross.
This gave the large travelling contingent hope and ensured a nervy finale – and in the final of the six minutes added on, Turner ventured forward to attack a late corner, but sent a diving header well off target.
Wealdstone managed the game well and held out for all three points, which sees them take a commanding lead at the summit.
Image: Paul Paxford
First half goals from Michee Efete and Ross Lafayette proved crucial for the clinical Stones, with Ryan Bird’s bullet header nine minutes from time not enough to salvage a point for the Rebels.
Slough were denied the services of George Wells, who failed a late fitness test, with Josh Jackman slotting into the left back berth.
The hosts took less than two minutes to surge in front, with Efete emphatically firing past Jack Turner and into the bottom corner after Dennon Lewis had surged down the right and pulled the ball back.
Slough responded with Dan Roberts glancing the ball wide from a Scott Davies cross, whilst Warren Harris volleyed just past the post. Minutes later, Efete combined with Jack Jebb on the right, and the latter forced Turner into a fine save.
The visitors went closer still on 28 minutes with Lee Togwell striking a powerful shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection and required Harvey Isted to react quickly to turn the ball away.
Shortly after, the hosts doubled their lead courtesy of top scorer Lafayette. Jerome Okimo worked his way down the left and played a ball into the striker which Bird was unable to cut out – and Lafayette coolly took advantage, gliding past Sam Togwell before firing past Turner at his near post.
Wealdstone continued to threaten and went close again as Jacob Mendy fired over after Dennon Lewis found him in the box.
Slough moved quickly to change things seven minutes into the second half, with Francis Amartey replacing Warren Harris.
Lafayette almost made it three early in the second period, but his flick from Mendy’s cross was deflected over.
Slough made further changes in order to try and get back into the match, and substitute Manny Williams went close a minute after his introduction, shooting just past the post after a flowing move.
Later, Isted was required to make an important save on 72 minutes after Ben Harris robbed a defender and squared to Amartey, but the striker’s effort lacked power.
The visitors kept putting the pressure on, and Williams saw a goal chalked off for offside. Then, with nine minutes left Bird rose highest in the box to power a header past Isted from Max Worsfold’s pinpoint cross.
This gave the large travelling contingent hope and ensured a nervy finale – and in the final of the six minutes added on, Turner ventured forward to attack a late corner, but sent a diving header well off target.
Wealdstone managed the game well and held out for all three points, which sees them take a commanding lead at the summit.
Image: Paul Paxford
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Jack Turner
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 4 Sam Togwell
- 6 Lee Togwell
- 7 Max Worsfold
- 8 Matthew Lench
- 11 Warren Harris 19
- 14 Scott Davies 10
- 16 Sean Fraser
- 17 Dan Roberts 9
- 18 Ryan Bird
Substitutes
- 3 George Wells
- 9 Ben Harris 17
- 10 Manny Williams 14
- 13 Nojus Trinovas
- 19 Francis Amartey 11
Wealdstone Lineup
Harvey Isted, Michee Efete, William Edjenguele, Billy Clifford (Daniel Green 74), Connor Stevens, Jerome Okimo (c), Michael Phillips, Jacob Mendy (Ashley Charles 86), Ross Lafayette, Jack Jebb, Dennon Lewis. Unused substitutes: Adam Coombes, Jonathan North, Connor Smith.