Amartey strikes in stoppage time to deny St Albans

Charlie Horlock put in a man-of-the-match performance to help his side twice battle back and claim a point against St Albans City at Arbour Park.

In an enthralling National League South clash, Slough Town and St Albans City battled to a 2-2 draw, with both teams showing moments of brilliance in a game filled with action and drama. Francis Amartey’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for Slough, denying St Albans all three points after they had regained the lead late in the game.

St Albans arrived at Arbour Park having made a poor start to the season, but included Matt Lench in their starting lineup, the midfielder having only recently been released by the Rebels after making 246 appearances for the club.

The match started with St Albans pressing high from the outset, testing Slough keeper Horlock early. In the second minute, Shaun Jeffers directed a header on target, but Horlock dealt with it comfortably. Slough responded in kind with Leon Chambers-Parillon attempting a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed over the bar. Despite the even start, St Albans were the more dangerous side, ramping up the pressure with a series of attacks.

A yellow card for Slough’s Dan Bayliss in the 10th minute, after a heavy challenge near his own corner flag, gave the visitors a chance to capitalise. From the resulting free kick, Horlock almost misjudged the ball, but quickly recovered to keep it out. Moments later, Ken Charles broke down the left, forcing a sharp save from Horlock. The Saints’ sustained pressure soon produced another big chance, as captain Zane Banton's excellent strike was denied by a superb save from Horlock in the 15th minute.

However, St Albans finally found a breakthrough in the 18th minute. Matt Lench delivered a corner, and Deon Woodman rose highest to head the ball past Horlock, giving the Saints a deserved 1-0 lead. Horlock got a hand to the ball, but couldn’t prevent the ball hitting the back of the net via the crossbar.

Slough responded well to the setback, and it didn’t take long for them to level the score. In the 25th minute, Chambers-Parillon showed great footwork to take him past two St Albans players before unleashing a stunning long-range strike that flew into the net via a post, giving Slough hope and changing the complexion of the game. The momentum shifted, and the match became more evenly contested, with both teams creating chances.

St Albans nearly restored their lead in the 32nd minute when Lench unleashed a 30-yard effort that forced Horlock into another impressive save. Slough, too, had their moments, with Ogbonna setting up Sam Evans for a shot that was held by St Albans keeper Michael Johnson.

Just before half time, Banton again went close for the Saints, flashing a shot just wide of the post after a slick move, but the teams went into the break tied at 1-1.

The second half began with St Albans pushing forward again, and within minutes, a counterattack led to efforts from Jeffers and Charles, both of which were well saved by Horlock. Slough gradually gained control and pushed back with a sustained spell of pressure, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances. A low free kick from Scott Davies in the 63rd minute was the closest they came, but Johnson smothered the danger.

A triple substitution for Slough in the 66th minute saw Kweku Lucan, Francis Amartey, and Gary Abisogun introduced in place of Spasov, Evans, and Ogbonna. Despite fresh legs, both teams struggled to generate meaningful chances as the game entered its closing stages. St Albans made their own double substitution in the 81st minute, bringing on Romeo Akinola and Makise Evans in a bid to change the game’s dynamic.

With four minutes remaining, Lench almost dramatically found the back of the net with a cross-shot aimed at the far post. The ball looked destined for the top corner until Horlock came to Slough’s rescue again by tipping over the bar.

In the 89th minute, St Albans appeared to have snatched all three points. After a well-worked move around the Slough box, Akinola teed up Makise Evans, who turned smartly and fired a low shot past Horlock, making it 2-1 to the visitors.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Slough earned a corner after Lucan’s header was tipped over the bar by Johnson. From the resulting set-piece, Gilbert’s delivery was flicked on by a St Albans defender, and Amartey, unmarked and onside at the back post, headed the ball home to secure a dramatic late equaliser for the Rebels.

The match ended 2-2, with Slough manager Scott Davies praising his team’s resilience: "Not our best but pleased to come away with a point in the end. Massive credit to St Albans, they’re a very good side and will definitely be moving up the league soon." He also reserved special praise for Horlock, whose string of outstanding saves had kept his team in the contest.

The Rebels ended the day in the final playoff spot, with a trip to Worthing on the horizon at the weekend.