Slough Town
2
Spasov (58), Evans (66)
Welling United
3
Redfearn (19), Kennedy (33), Johnson (51)
League
Attendance: 805
Sam Evans
Welling United edged an eventful encounter at Arbour Park, securing a 3-2 victory over Slough Town despite a spirited second-half fightback by the hosts. Goals from Josh Redfearn, Gene Kennedy, and Chiori Johnson gave Welling a commanding lead before strikes from Slough’s Slavi Spasov and substitute Sam Evans brought the game to a thrilling conclusion.
The game began with both sides testing each other in heavy rain. Slough’s Francis Amartey had the first opportunity in the second minute, steering a shot wide following a neat pass from Henry Ochieng. Welling responded by targeting Dan Bayliss' defensive flank, earning a corner in the sixth minute that hinted at their intent.
Welling’s breakthrough came in the 19th minute. Josh Redfearn latched onto a pass, turned sharply past Bayliss, and drilled a superb shot into the bottom corner, leaving Slough goalkeeper Charlie Horlock with no chance. The Rebels tried to respond, with a series of corners causing brief panic in Welling’s defence. However, Bayliss and Ochieng both squandered promising chances.
In the 29th minute, Slough thought they had equalized when Josh Jackman bundled the ball into the net from a corner, only for the referee to disallow it for a foul in the buildup. Four minutes later, Welling doubled their lead. Gene Kennedy capitalized on a blocked effort by Chiori Johnson, smashing the ball low past Horlock amid a crowded box.
Despite occasional glimpses of attacking promise, Slough’s efforts in the first half were well-contained by Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, who made crucial interventions, including holding a header from Chambers-Parillon just before halftime.
Slough began the second half with renewed determination, creating an early chance through Prosper, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Lovett – though the linesman’s flag was already raised. However, Welling appeared to put the game beyond reach in the 51st minute, with Chiori Johnson coolly finishing after being played into space on the edge of the box.
Desperate for a response, Slough introduced Sam Evans for David Ogbonna in the 54th minute, a substitution that immediately paid dividends. Four minutes later, a defensive error gifted Slavi Spasov a golden opportunity, and he made no mistake, hammering the ball into an open net to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Welling’s Lovett continued to thwart Slough’s resurgence, saving an awkward scramble in the 60th minute. Yet, the Rebels’ momentum was building, and in the 66th minute, Evans further ignited hopes of a comeback. Showing composure under pressure, he slotted the ball through Lovett’s legs, making it 3-2.
Slough pushed relentlessly for an equaliser. Amartey missed two gilt-edged chances, first skying a shot over the bar from close range in the 70th minute, and then slicing a half-volley wide moments later. Welling nearly restored their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Sam Cornish’s long-range strike rattled the crossbar.
As Slough introduced more attacking substitutions, including Gary Abisogun and Dan Roth, Welling dug in defensively. In the 86th minute, Evans went down under a challenge from Lovett, prompting loud penalty appeals, but referee Lisa Benn waved play on. Welling’s goalkeeper received a yellow card for time-wasting, while a flurry of late bookings reflected the game’s rising intensity.
In a chaotic period of added time, Slough’s hopes were dashed further when Dan Bayliss was shown a straight red card. With seconds remaining, even goalkeeper Horlock joined the attack, but his speculative effort from the edge of Welling’s box flew over.
Welling held on for the win despite a spirited late charge from Slough. Rhys Lovett was named Man of the Match for a series of crucial saves, while Sam Evans’ impactful display earned him plaudits. The defeat leaves Slough to rue missed opportunities and a slow start, while Welling can celebrate a hard-fought three points on the road.
Image: George Beck
The game began with both sides testing each other in heavy rain. Slough’s Francis Amartey had the first opportunity in the second minute, steering a shot wide following a neat pass from Henry Ochieng. Welling responded by targeting Dan Bayliss' defensive flank, earning a corner in the sixth minute that hinted at their intent.
Welling’s breakthrough came in the 19th minute. Josh Redfearn latched onto a pass, turned sharply past Bayliss, and drilled a superb shot into the bottom corner, leaving Slough goalkeeper Charlie Horlock with no chance. The Rebels tried to respond, with a series of corners causing brief panic in Welling’s defence. However, Bayliss and Ochieng both squandered promising chances.
In the 29th minute, Slough thought they had equalized when Josh Jackman bundled the ball into the net from a corner, only for the referee to disallow it for a foul in the buildup. Four minutes later, Welling doubled their lead. Gene Kennedy capitalized on a blocked effort by Chiori Johnson, smashing the ball low past Horlock amid a crowded box.
Despite occasional glimpses of attacking promise, Slough’s efforts in the first half were well-contained by Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, who made crucial interventions, including holding a header from Chambers-Parillon just before halftime.
Slough began the second half with renewed determination, creating an early chance through Prosper, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Lovett – though the linesman’s flag was already raised. However, Welling appeared to put the game beyond reach in the 51st minute, with Chiori Johnson coolly finishing after being played into space on the edge of the box.
Desperate for a response, Slough introduced Sam Evans for David Ogbonna in the 54th minute, a substitution that immediately paid dividends. Four minutes later, a defensive error gifted Slavi Spasov a golden opportunity, and he made no mistake, hammering the ball into an open net to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Welling’s Lovett continued to thwart Slough’s resurgence, saving an awkward scramble in the 60th minute. Yet, the Rebels’ momentum was building, and in the 66th minute, Evans further ignited hopes of a comeback. Showing composure under pressure, he slotted the ball through Lovett’s legs, making it 3-2.
Slough pushed relentlessly for an equaliser. Amartey missed two gilt-edged chances, first skying a shot over the bar from close range in the 70th minute, and then slicing a half-volley wide moments later. Welling nearly restored their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Sam Cornish’s long-range strike rattled the crossbar.
As Slough introduced more attacking substitutions, including Gary Abisogun and Dan Roth, Welling dug in defensively. In the 86th minute, Evans went down under a challenge from Lovett, prompting loud penalty appeals, but referee Lisa Benn waved play on. Welling’s goalkeeper received a yellow card for time-wasting, while a flurry of late bookings reflected the game’s rising intensity.
In a chaotic period of added time, Slough’s hopes were dashed further when Dan Bayliss was shown a straight red card. With seconds remaining, even goalkeeper Horlock joined the attack, but his speculative effort from the edge of Welling’s box flew over.
Welling held on for the win despite a spirited late charge from Slough. Rhys Lovett was named Man of the Match for a series of crucial saves, while Sam Evans’ impactful display earned him plaudits. The defeat leaves Slough to rue missed opportunities and a slow start, while Welling can celebrate a hard-fought three points on the road.
Image: George Beck
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov
- 10 John Gilbert
- 11 Francis Amartey 7
- 12 Leon Chambers-Parillon
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng 16
- 23 David Ogbonna 19
Substitutes
- 7 Gary Abisogun 11
- 16 Dan Roth 15
- 17 Oliver Spicer
- 19 Sam Evans 23
- 22 Noah Hay
Welling United Lineup
Rhys Lovett; Maxwell Statham, Jack Burchell, Alex Lankshear, Chiori Johnson; Gene Kennedy (Ben Wells 85), Teddy Perkins, Sam Cornish (Anthony Grant 81), Paul Osew, Garrett Kelly (c); Josh Redfearn (Anointed Chukwu 65). Subs not used: Martell Taylor-Crossdale, Elliott Long.