Slough Town
3
Bayliss (45+1, 71), Evans (90+5)
Tonbridge Angels
1
Vincent (69)
League
Attendance: 1202
Dan Bayliss
Slough Town claimed a well-earned 3-1 victory against Tonbridge Angels in National League South on Saturday, handing the visitors their first league defeat of the season.
With over 1,200 in attendance at Arbour Park – including boxing star Adam Azim, who opened the club’s new REBELS bar – centre-back Dan Bayliss landed the knockout blows to the previously undefeated Angels with two goals. Slough's set-piece mastery proved crucial in a match that saw few clear-cut chances but plenty of drama.
The early exchanges were evenly contested, with both teams creating half-chances. Tonbridge’s Crossley Lema had a header at the back post, but it lacked the power to trouble Slough goalkeeper Charlie Horlock. Slough’s Bayliss also came close when he got on the end of a corner, but his shot was cleared.
Later, Tonbridge defender Ryan Hanson found himself with time and space in the box, but his low effort was saved by the legs of Horlock.
The game slowed down with several fouls and interruptions, as both teams struggled to break through each other’s defence.
Just as it seemed the first half would end goalless, Slough took the lead in stoppage time. John Gilbert delivered a pinpoint corner that found Bayliss, whose powerful header, helped by a slight deflection, flew into the net to make it 1-0. The goal gave Slough a timely boost going into half time.
Slough started the second half on the front foot, putting Tonbridge under pressure with a couple of crosses that flashed dangerously across the six-yard box. However, against the run of play, Tonbridge equalised in the 69th minute. After Scott Davies was penalised for a foul just outside the box, Liam Vincent fired a low free-kick past Horlock to make it 1-1.
Slough responded almost immediately. Just a minute or so later, the Rebels won a free kick of their own, again delivered expertly by Gilbert. The ball found Bayliss at the back post, and he made no mistake, volleying home to restore Slough’s lead at 2-1.
With the game slipping away, Tonbridge grew frustrated, and their situation worsened in stoppage time when Lema was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Gilbert following a foul. Gilbert also received a yellow card for his role in the altercation.
As Tonbridge pushed for a late equaliser, Slough capitalised on the counter. In the final moments of the game, substitute Sam Evans took advantage of a defensive mistake by Ronny Nelson, racing clear to slot the ball past goalkeeper Jonny Steward and secure a 3-1 victory. It was Evans’ first competitive goal for the club, a moment that capped off an impressive afternoon for the Rebels.
Bayliss’ defensive leadership and his two goals earned him the Man of the Match award, as Slough’s backline kept Tonbridge’s attack largely at bay. Keeper Charlie Horlock had a quiet afternoon, as Slough’s organised defence limited the Angels’ chances.
The win propels Slough into fourth place, while Tonbridge, who started the day in third, now find themselves outside the top seven.
Image: George Beck
With over 1,200 in attendance at Arbour Park – including boxing star Adam Azim, who opened the club’s new REBELS bar – centre-back Dan Bayliss landed the knockout blows to the previously undefeated Angels with two goals. Slough's set-piece mastery proved crucial in a match that saw few clear-cut chances but plenty of drama.
The early exchanges were evenly contested, with both teams creating half-chances. Tonbridge’s Crossley Lema had a header at the back post, but it lacked the power to trouble Slough goalkeeper Charlie Horlock. Slough’s Bayliss also came close when he got on the end of a corner, but his shot was cleared.
Later, Tonbridge defender Ryan Hanson found himself with time and space in the box, but his low effort was saved by the legs of Horlock.
The game slowed down with several fouls and interruptions, as both teams struggled to break through each other’s defence.
Just as it seemed the first half would end goalless, Slough took the lead in stoppage time. John Gilbert delivered a pinpoint corner that found Bayliss, whose powerful header, helped by a slight deflection, flew into the net to make it 1-0. The goal gave Slough a timely boost going into half time.
Slough started the second half on the front foot, putting Tonbridge under pressure with a couple of crosses that flashed dangerously across the six-yard box. However, against the run of play, Tonbridge equalised in the 69th minute. After Scott Davies was penalised for a foul just outside the box, Liam Vincent fired a low free-kick past Horlock to make it 1-1.
Slough responded almost immediately. Just a minute or so later, the Rebels won a free kick of their own, again delivered expertly by Gilbert. The ball found Bayliss at the back post, and he made no mistake, volleying home to restore Slough’s lead at 2-1.
With the game slipping away, Tonbridge grew frustrated, and their situation worsened in stoppage time when Lema was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Gilbert following a foul. Gilbert also received a yellow card for his role in the altercation.
As Tonbridge pushed for a late equaliser, Slough capitalised on the counter. In the final moments of the game, substitute Sam Evans took advantage of a defensive mistake by Ronny Nelson, racing clear to slot the ball past goalkeeper Jonny Steward and secure a 3-1 victory. It was Evans’ first competitive goal for the club, a moment that capped off an impressive afternoon for the Rebels.
Bayliss’ defensive leadership and his two goals earned him the Man of the Match award, as Slough’s backline kept Tonbridge’s attack largely at bay. Keeper Charlie Horlock had a quiet afternoon, as Slough’s organised defence limited the Angels’ chances.
The win propels Slough into fourth place, while Tonbridge, who started the day in third, now find themselves outside the top seven.
Image: George Beck
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 4 Lexus Beeden
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov 16
- 10 John Gilbert
- 12 Leon Chambers-Parillon
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 22 Francis Amartey 2
- 23 David Ogbonna 19
Substitutes
- 2 Josh Jackman 22
- 7 Gary Abisogun
- 16 Dan Roth 9
- 19 Sam Evans 23
- 21 Balu Makumbi
Tonbridge Angels Lineup
Steward; Lema, Nelson, Bakrin, Hinds (Robinson 58), Vincent; Hanson (Santos 78), Wagstaff (Maloney 44), Shields; Dabre (Adigun 84), Leighton. Subs not used: Fielding