Late goal condemns Rebels to home defeat

Slough continue to search for their first points of the new season despite a promising second-half display.

Defensive errors allowed Dover to capitalize and run away from Arbour Park with a 2-1 win and all three points, writes Connor McNeish.

It was a frantic and scrappy start from both sides as the Rebels just edged the opening minutes, with several early crosses into the six yard box that led to little in terms of goal attempts.

In the 13th minute, an unmarked George Alexander forced a great save out of Dover goalkeeper Billy Terrell with a header after an excellent inswinging corner kick from Gabe George.

Slough couldn't keep up their early dominance as Dover grew into the game.

Another chance came for Slough in the 23rd minute when Leon Chambers-Parillon had Terrell concerned with a good strike from around 25 yards out that narrowly whistled over the crossbar.

The away side took full advantage of the Rebels taking their foot off the pedal in the 29th minute. A long goal kick was not cleared by the Rebels’ defensive line allowing Oreofe Bello to have an initial strike at goal that was half-blocked by Joe Dandy, before Zidan Sutherland followed up with a low drive past Hubert Graczyk.

A few moments later, Bello tried his luck again with another attempt going narrowly wide of the goal.

Some good link-up play between Gabe George and Chambers-Parillon in the 40th minute led to Johnny Goddard cutting the ball back across the six yard box to Chambers-Parillon, whose strike toward the near post was again denied by another terrific save by Terrell.

There was a heart-in-mouth moment for Joe Dandy in the 43rd minute as his scuffed clearance from a low cross into the area almost ended up in his own goal.

In first half stoppage time, Sutherland found himself onside, but Graczyk made a good save to deny him as the striker aimed for the top corner.

In response to being a goal down at half time, Scott Davies made a double change at the break with George and Chambers-Parillon sacrificed for David Ogbonna and Jonny Giles.

And there was almost an immediate response in the first minute of the second half. Ogbonna gave Chevron McLean difficulties - something that would be a feature throughout the second half in a lively 45-minute appearance. Ogbonna set the ball back to the edge of the box for Goddard to send a curling strike toward the goal which was again excellently denied by Terrell, who managed to tip the effort onto the post.

The Rebels finally got their reward for a positive start to the second half. In the 51st minute, another inswinging corner kick from Goddard evaded everyone in the six yard box, and a combination of Nathan Minhas and defender Michael Olarewaju saw the ball hit the back of the net to get Slough level.

There were a lot of good spells of possession throughout the early stages of the second half from Slough as Dover were unable to get a foothold. Munashe Sundire notably did an excellent job in the midfield retrieving and recycling the ball well for the home side.

The 65th minute saw a return for former Rebel Imran Kayani who was sent on in place of Roman Charles-Cook. A few minutes later Nathan Minhas was unable to continue and Tom McElroy was sent on for Slough's final substitution.

Slough continued to make advances towards the Dover goal but began to take more risks that allowed the opposition more space behind for counterattacks.

In the 77th minute, Graczyk almost gave Dover a gift as he slowly turned inside on his right foot allowing George Nikaj to get a toe on the ball that almost led to a goal.

In the final moments, the game became a lot more open as both sides had half-chances that led to very little and it appeared that both sides would have to settle for a point.

Unfortunately though, in the fourth minute of stoppage time an error in the Slough defensive line gave Dover the ball right on the edge of the penalty area with Bello patiently waiting for support in the form of substitute Luke Baptiste, who struck low into the goal to give the Whites all three points.

Slough will need to dust themselves down quickly as they host Worthing on Tuesday evening, who so far have started this season winning both of their matches with clean sheets and are currently top of the table.

Image: George Beck