Rebels defeated at promotion rivals Weymouth

On a day in which all Premier League and EFL matches were postponed due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic, it was business as usual in National League South – but Slough slipped to a second consecutive 2-0 defeat in this meeting of two sides hoping to secure a playoff place.

Slough were only missing George Wells, whose spot was taken by Sean Fraser, whilst Lee Togwell made his 200th appearance, becoming the fourth player in the squad to reach that milestone.

It was a very tentative start from both sides with Weymouth enjoying the lion’s share of possession - but the Rebels didn’t mind too much as they spent most of the time passing between their defenders inside their own half. However, when Slough eventually got their feet on the ball they struggled to hold on to it for long, often forced to kick long under pressure.

The closest either side came in the first 15 minutes was Weymouth winning a few corners.

It would be Jack Turner to be the first goalkeeper called upon to actually make a save, on 20 minutes. He reacted quickly to stick out a leg to block a shot.

The Rebels became frustrated at the lack of possession and chances, and began to have shots from range - first Ben Harris with a curling effort easily caught by Calum Ward, and then Matt Lench firing over the bar with a crowd in front of him.

After weathering the spell of Weymouth’s possession dominance, the Rebels had ten minutes of their own. Finally able to keep the ball in their opponents’ half, they had some more noteworthy chances. Sam Togwell went close from a corner before Ben Harris won the ball off the defence but put his shot the wrong side of the post.

However, it would be Weymouth who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half. Calvin Brooks found space inside the box but saw his shot rebound off the post with Turner rooted to the spot. A good block soon after by Josh Jackman prevented the rebound from being scored.

Slough saw out the final few minutes with a flurry of corners which came to an end when Ward eventually caught one.

Whilst the first half wasn’t much of a spectacle the action would pick up in the second, with two penalties given and one controversially not.

The first of those penalties came on 50 minutes when Brooks was brought down inside the Slough box by Sean Fraser. Up stepped Josh McQuoid to wrong-foot Turner and give the hosts the lead.

Slough were then forced into a change with Fraser - who had been filling in for Wells - was replaced by Scott Davies with Max Worsfold dropping to left back.

Six minutes after conceding a penalty, Slough were awarded one of their own when Mark Nisbet was clearly dragged back by Shaun Hobson in the box from a free kick.

With Slough on a poor run of form from the penalty spot, and the only recent scorer Dan Roberts on the bench, up came Jack Turner from his own box. He had previously scored all three penalties in shoutouts, including one on Tuesday; unfortunately, this time his shot cannoned off the bar, leaving Slough vulnerable to a Weymouth counter-attack.

Jordan Ngalo was first to the ball and he set off down the left. Warren Harris attempted to take him out but was unsuccessful. In a last ditch effort Worsfold had to get back and he made no mistake in taking out the Weymouth man. A mass brawl ensued with a Weymouth player taking a big kick at the back of one Slough player whilst everyone grappled with each other.

Expecting the worst, the Rebels were extremely relieved to see referee Mr. Wootton only show one yellow card to Warren Harris.

Despite the setback it was Slough who continued to attack and press for an equaliser.

With corners and free kick in wide areas, Slough put Weymouth goalkeeper Ward under pressure but he was always able to get a hand or fingertips to deny shots on goal.

Lench came close with a curling effort from the left corner of the 18-yard box. With Ward beaten he was relieved to see the ball not quite make it into the top corner. Then a few minutes later Ward was lucky once more as substitute Roberts chased him down and blocked his clearance with the ball rebounding out of play away from goal.

Slough continued to ramp up the pressure, sending forward the big men from any set piece and throw in. Sam Togwell won one cleanly and was able to play in Josh Jackman but his attempt was well saved by Ward.

The Rebels made their final change, taking off Mark Nisbet for Ryan Bird and pushing men forward.

On 85 minutes Slough should have been awarded a second penalty when Warren Harris’s cross was very clearly blocked by an outstretched arm, however the officials missed it to the disgust of the travelling fans.

A minute later, Weymouth were up the other end and Jack Turner was on hand to make a fantastic double save to keep Slough in the game, first from Jaidon Anthony and then Brooks. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain when moments later Weymouth got their second. This time he was unable to stop a back post tap-in from Andreas Robinson with the Slough defence out of position.

Slough drop down the table to fifth place, but four points ahead of Dartford.