Slough hit six in win at Enfield

Slough Town produced a stunning performance on Tuesday evening, dismantling Enfield Town 6-1 at the Dave Bryant Stadium to secure their second win in three games and move up to fifth place in the National League South.

In what was a statement victory, the Rebels showed their class and attacking prowess, with Slavi Spasov and Kweku Lucan each netting twice. John Gilbert also scored his first competitive goal for the club, as did academy product Jack Timberlake at the very end of the game.

Slough Town's intent was clear from the opening whistle. After a narrow 1-0 defeat at Salisbury just days earlier, the Rebels were determined to make amends, and it took them only three minutes to break the deadlock. Spasov, who has been in fine form early in the season, wove his way through the Enfield defence with ease. His intricate footwork left the hosts' backline in disarray, allowing him to slide the ball across the box. It rebounded back off the far post, allowing Lucan to tap home. It was a clinical start that immediately put Enfield on the back foot.

Manager Scott Davies, who also featured in the starting lineup, would have been pleased with how his side responded to the setback at Salisbury. Slough’s quick start was precisely what the doctor ordered, with their early dominance a sign of things to come.

Despite their impressive start, Slough were pegged back midway through the first half. After Hisham Kasimu had threatened with a 20-yarder which whistled over the crossbar, Enfield's equaliser came out of almost nothing, a reminder that football can be an unpredictable game. In the 24th minute, Bernie Tanner unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards that arrowed into the top corner, leaving Slough goalkeeper Charlie Horlock with no chance. Tanner’s goal was a moment of brilliance, and for a brief period, it looked as though Enfield might find their way back into the contest.

The goal, however, did little to deter Slough’s momentum. Instead of retreating into their shell, the Rebels took the setback in stride and gradually reasserted their control over the match. Slough’s ability to remain composed under pressure was evident, as they quickly began to dictate the tempo once again.

As the first half neared its conclusion, Slough turned up the intensity with a devastating burst of attacking play that all but ended the contest. The crucial moment came in the 43rd minute when Dan Roth broke free on a swift counter-attack. With pace and precision, Roth delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Spasov, who made no mistake from close range to restore Slough’s lead.

Just two minutes later, Lucan struck again. The pacey forward showed great strength to muscle his way past an Enfield defender before calmly slotting the ball past the former Rebels goalkeeper, Rhys Forster. It was a goal that encapsulated Lucan’s performance—a combination of speed, power, and clinical finishing that left the Enfield defence reeling.

Slough were not content to sit on their two-goal cushion. Deep into first-half stoppage time, they added a fourth. This time, it was John Gilbert who got his name on the scoresheet, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to toe-poke it home. Gilbert's goal was the result of sustained pressure from Slough, who kept probing and pressing until the Enfield defence finally cracked. The half time whistle blew with Slough leading 4-1, a scoreline that was a fair reflection of their dominance.

The second half began much like the first, with Slough seizing control from the outset. Within two minutes of the restart, Henry Ochieng nearly made it five, his powerful volley from outside the box rattling the crossbar. The Rebels were relentless, refusing to allow Enfield any respite.

In the 55th minute, Slough added a fifth, and once again, Spasov was at the heart of it. Roth, who had been exceptional all evening, nutmegged an Enfield defender before delivering a low cross that Spasov calmly tucked away. The forward’s second goal of the night was a testament to his poacher’s instinct, and his overall performance was indicative of a player in top form.

With the game effectively won, manager Scott Davies took the opportunity to make several substitutions, giving valuable minutes to some of his younger players. Kweku Lucan, who had been electric throughout the match, was replaced by John Ufuah just after the hour mark. Ufuah, eager to make an impact, wasted no time in getting involved, using his pace to stretch the already weary Enfield defence.

As the game entered its final stages, the Rebels continued to push forward, undeterred by their commanding lead. Jeanmal Prosper, who replaced Josh Jackman, stung the palms of Forster with a powerful effort, while teenager Ollie Spicer also made his first appearance of the season.

The final substitution came in the 84th minute, as Jack Timberlake replaced the two-goal hero, Spasov. The youngster, who is highly regarded within the club, would go on to cap off a memorable evening for Slough.

With the match deep into stoppage time, Slough added a sixth goal to their tally. Ufuah, who had been lively since coming on, raced down the right flank before delivering a low cross into the box. Timberlake, showing the composure of a seasoned striker, slammed the ball home to score his first senior goal for Slough Town. The young forward’s joy was palpable as he wheeled away in celebration, a fitting end to what had been an incredible night for the Rebels.

As the final whistle blew, the Slough players and their travelling supporters celebrated a resounding victory that saw them move up to fifth place in the early National League South standings. It was a performance that will live long in the memory, not just for the scoreline, but for the manner in which it was achieved.

Slough’s attacking play was a joy to watch, with the partnership between Lucan and Spasov proving particularly fruitful. The duo's movement, pace, and finishing were too much for Enfield to handle, and if they can maintain this form, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the league.

Manager Scott Davies will be delighted with the response from his players following the disappointment at Salisbury. The Rebels were clinical, composed, and utterly dominant, demonstrating a ruthlessness that bodes well for their upcoming matches.