Rebels defeated by league leaders Hemel Hempstead

Slough Town fell to their first home defeat in over a year as they were edged out 1-0 by league leaders Hemel Hempstead Town at Arbour Park.

Despite a valiant effort, the Rebels couldn’t convert their chances, while Hemel’s clinical execution of a set piece in the second half secured them the three points. The result saw Slough slip from third to sixth in the National League South, while Hemel extended their unbeaten run and maintained their position at the summit, now five points ahead of Slough and three points clear of second-placed Eastbourne Borough.

The match had all the makings of a key encounter, with both sides eager to stamp their authority at the top of the table. Slough, having made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Weston-super-Mare midweek, came into the game with hopes of bouncing back and restoring momentum. Manager Scott Davies, who also started in defence, introduced Gary Abisogun and John Gilbert into the front line, while Kweku Lucan retained his place in attack. Meanwhile, Hemel fielded new signing Jordan Esprit, a midweek recruit from Bracknell Town, looking to further bolster their already strong attack.

The game began with Hemel taking early control, testing Slough’s defence from the off. Esprit made his presence felt early, pressing Lexus Beeden and creating an opening for Alfie Cerulli, who fired a low shot across the box that just missed the far post. Slough responded quickly, showing they were not prepared to sit back. A well-worked corner routine in the seventh minute led to Dan Bayliss having a close-range effort blocked by Hemel defender Chris Smith.

Hemel were forced into an early change when Dan Wishart, caught by Abisogun in an unfortunate clash, had to be replaced by Kai Innocent after just 14 minutes. Slough looked to take advantage of the disruption and nearly did so when Abisogun capitalised on a defensive error, threading the ball through to John Gilbert. The forward, in a one-on-one with Craig King, attempted to curl his shot past the Hemel keeper but narrowly missed the left post.

Slough continued to probe, with Abisogun playing a key role in their attack. The forward was constantly involved, combining well with midfielders Leon Chambers-Parillon and Henry Ochieng to create opportunities. In the 32nd minute, Abisogun found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful effort, only to see it fly just over the crossbar.

Despite the hosts’ chances, Hemel were always a threat on the counter. Ricardo German, leading the line for the Tudors, forced Charlie Horlock into a sharp save in the 35th minute after being given space to shoot. Hemel’s defence, marshalled by Kyle Ajayi and Ben Tompkins, remained solid under pressure, frustrating Slough as they searched for a breakthrough.

The best opportunity of the first half came in stoppage time when Abisogun, once again at the heart of the attack, saw his low, driven shot destined for the bottom corner. However, Craig King produced a stunning save, diving full stretch to keep the score level as the teams went into the break at 0-0.

After the restart, it was Hemel who began to take control of the game, enjoying a sustained spell of possession in Slough’s half. The Rebels, while solid defensively, struggled to regain the attacking fluency they had shown in the first period. In the 62nd minute, the league leaders made Slough pay for their failure to convert chances. A corner from George Williams was whipped into the box with pace, finding Ajayi who rose highest to glance a header into the far corner. It was a well-taken goal, and a harsh blow for Slough, who had defended stoutly up to that point.

In response, Davies made a couple of attacking changes, bringing on Sam Evans for his competitive debut and introducing John Ufuah for Abisogun. Evans immediately looked lively, but Hemel’s defence, particularly King in goal, continued to frustrate the hosts.

Slough’s best chances to equalise came from set pieces. Player-manager Davies, renowned for his dead-ball abilities, had two opportunities late on. The first, a low drive from just outside the box, was blocked by the wall. The second, in the 81st minute, looked destined for the bottom corner, but once again, King came to Hemel’s rescue with a remarkable save, tipping the ball around the post to preserve his side’s lead.

As the clock ticked down, Slough pushed forward, looking to continue their proud unbeaten run. Ufuah had a late chance in the 90th minute, firing over from close range after a cross into the box, much to the frustration of the home crowd. Hemel, however, remained dangerous on the break. In stoppage time, Connor Kurran-Browne broke through Slough’s backline with a burst of speed, but his cross flashed across the face of goal with no one on hand to tap in.

Despite Slough’s best efforts in the closing stages, Hemel saw out the game with their one-goal advantage intact. The final whistle signalled Slough’s first home defeat in 370 days, ending a formidable unbeaten run at Arbour Park.

Reflecting on the defeat, Davies said, “It was a disappointing result for us, especially losing to a set piece. I thought we were really good in the first half and quite possibly should’ve been in front with some of the chances we created. Full credit to Hemel though, they dealt with what we threw at them and found a way to win. They’re a tough team to play, very well organised and showed why they are in the position they’re in. We’ll regroup and go again. That’s all we can do.”

The result leaves Slough in sixth place, five points behind leaders Hemel and still within the play-off places. The Rebels will need to rediscover their cutting edge as they look to bounce back from two consecutive defeats, with their next challenge at Chichester City in the Emirates FA Cup next Saturday. Hemel, meanwhile, march on at the top of the table, further cementing their status as title contenders.