Slough Town
2
Goddard (62), Bayliss (90+6)
Torquay United
2
Young (12), Moxey (89)
League
Attendance: 791
Johnny Goddard
A last-gasp equaliser from the head of Dan Bayliss saved a point for Slough Town in an entertaining contest against top-of-the-table Torquay United at Arbour Park.
There was late drama all round, with the visitors looking certain to record all three points when substitute Dean Moxey stole in to place his shot past Charlie Horlock in the 89th minute. But in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time, Bayliss rose highest to nod the ball goalwards, with Gulls keeper James Hamon distraught to see it float into the far corner to spark celebrations behind the goal.
It was the least the Rebels deserved after a strong second half performance in which Scott Davies’ side had more of the ball and the better of the chances.
Slough made one change from their goalless draw with Eastbourne Borough at the weekend, David Ogbonna coming back in to replace the injured Guy Hollis as the Rebels changed their shape. It took Torquay only 12 minutes to take the lead, as Davies missed his clearance on the edge of the penalty area, allowing Jordan Young the chance to fire past Horlock on his left foot.
The Rebels struggled to break into the Gulls’ final third, but started to mount some pressure late in the first half, with Francis Amartey increasingly threatening with his pace and movement. On 37 minutes a ball into the heart of the Torquay penalty area found Johnny Goddard, whose firm strike was denied by Hamon, who saved with his left leg.
Minutes later, Bayliss found Amartey down the left flank and the Rebels attacker beat his marker before playing a dangerous ball across towards the near post, but Hamon held it well.
Slavi Spasov headed a corner kick over the bar and Amartey had a shot blocked after showing good footwork as the first half drew to a close.
Torquay were quick to try and extend their advantage in the opening minute of the second period, with Omar Mussa seeing a strike at the near post blocked by Jeanmal Prosper. At the other end, Dan Bayliss got free of his marker to flick the ball narrowly wide of goal from a Goddard corner.
Mussa again threatened with a fierce strike from 25 yards which flew only a yard over the bar, just past the hour mark. And it was game on moments later as Goddard levelled the scores. Bayliss played a long ball up to Spasov, whose flicked header found David Ogbonna in space. The winger’s low ball in was missed by Spasov, but Goddard tucked the loose ball past Hamon from inside the six-yard box.
Slough stepped up the pressure with the introduction of Ody Alfa in place of Ogbonna, and Spasov had another effort which was deflected over the crossbar. A free kick routine on 83 minutes led to Goddard feeding Amartey, whose cross towards the back post was dangerous and well cleared by Ed Palmer.
But a second goal would not come for the Rebels and instead, with a minute and a half remaining, Hamon’s long ball was knocked on by Palmer to Sam Dreyer, who in turn flicked a header towards Moxey who applied the finish to put Torquay back into the lead.
However, Scott Davies’ side were not finished, and once again showed their desire not to lose at Arbour Park. Alfa embarked on a strong run down the right side and was allowed to get a cross into the box, where Bayliss, who had been pushed into the attack, was able to get his head to the ball and loop it over Hamon for his fifth goal of the season.
There was late drama all round, with the visitors looking certain to record all three points when substitute Dean Moxey stole in to place his shot past Charlie Horlock in the 89th minute. But in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time, Bayliss rose highest to nod the ball goalwards, with Gulls keeper James Hamon distraught to see it float into the far corner to spark celebrations behind the goal.
It was the least the Rebels deserved after a strong second half performance in which Scott Davies’ side had more of the ball and the better of the chances.
Slough made one change from their goalless draw with Eastbourne Borough at the weekend, David Ogbonna coming back in to replace the injured Guy Hollis as the Rebels changed their shape. It took Torquay only 12 minutes to take the lead, as Davies missed his clearance on the edge of the penalty area, allowing Jordan Young the chance to fire past Horlock on his left foot.
The Rebels struggled to break into the Gulls’ final third, but started to mount some pressure late in the first half, with Francis Amartey increasingly threatening with his pace and movement. On 37 minutes a ball into the heart of the Torquay penalty area found Johnny Goddard, whose firm strike was denied by Hamon, who saved with his left leg.
Minutes later, Bayliss found Amartey down the left flank and the Rebels attacker beat his marker before playing a dangerous ball across towards the near post, but Hamon held it well.
Slavi Spasov headed a corner kick over the bar and Amartey had a shot blocked after showing good footwork as the first half drew to a close.
Torquay were quick to try and extend their advantage in the opening minute of the second period, with Omar Mussa seeing a strike at the near post blocked by Jeanmal Prosper. At the other end, Dan Bayliss got free of his marker to flick the ball narrowly wide of goal from a Goddard corner.
Mussa again threatened with a fierce strike from 25 yards which flew only a yard over the bar, just past the hour mark. And it was game on moments later as Goddard levelled the scores. Bayliss played a long ball up to Spasov, whose flicked header found David Ogbonna in space. The winger’s low ball in was missed by Spasov, but Goddard tucked the loose ball past Hamon from inside the six-yard box.
Slough stepped up the pressure with the introduction of Ody Alfa in place of Ogbonna, and Spasov had another effort which was deflected over the crossbar. A free kick routine on 83 minutes led to Goddard feeding Amartey, whose cross towards the back post was dangerous and well cleared by Ed Palmer.
But a second goal would not come for the Rebels and instead, with a minute and a half remaining, Hamon’s long ball was knocked on by Palmer to Sam Dreyer, who in turn flicked a header towards Moxey who applied the finish to put Torquay back into the lead.
However, Scott Davies’ side were not finished, and once again showed their desire not to lose at Arbour Park. Alfa embarked on a strong run down the right side and was allowed to get a cross into the box, where Bayliss, who had been pushed into the attack, was able to get his head to the ball and loop it over Hamon for his fifth goal of the season.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov
- 11 Francis Amartey
- 12 Leon Parillon
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 20 Johnny Goddard
- 23 David Ogbonna 7
Substitutes
- 7 Odysseus Alfa 23
- 16 Dan Roth
- 17 Oliver Spicer
- 22 Unknown
- 24 Jack Timberlake
Torquay United Lineup
James Hamon, Jay Foulston (Matt Carson 61), Jordan Dyer (Dean Moxey 82), Sam Dreyer, Jordan Young, Omar Mussa, Oscar Threlkeld (c) (Lirak Hasani HT), Cody Cooke (Ed Palmer 68), Dan Hayfield, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Morgan (Will Jenkins Davies 56). Subs not used: none.