Slough Town
1
Pruti (58)
Maidstone United
0
League
Attendance: 937
Edon Pruti
Slough Town ended a torrid run of 11 league games without a victory by securing a crucial 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Maidstone United at Arbour Park.
Edon Pruti’s second-half header proved decisive as the Rebels defended resolutely to claim all three points and deal a setback to Maidstone’s National League South title hopes.
The game began at a high tempo, with the visitors initially looking the more threatening. An early corner for Slough was pushed away by Maidstone goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr, before Aaron Blair had the first real chance of the match, firing wide in the 10th minute.
Slough responded quickly, with Henry Ochieng threading a pass into Francis Amartey, who managed to get a shot away but dragged it across the face of goal.
Maidstone continued to apply pressure, with Blair pressing Slough defender Dan Bayliss into an awkward header back towards his own goal, almost looping over Charlie Horlock.
The best chance of the half for the visitors came in the 25th minute when George Fowler connected with a deep free-kick from Ben Brookes, sending his header narrowly wide of Horlock’s left post. At the other end, Lewis Miccio flicked on a Slough free-kick from deep, but no one in an amber shirt could take advantage.
As the first half progressed, Slough began to impose themselves more. Josh Jackman tested Andre Jr from the edge of the box, though his shot was comfortably gathered by the Maidstone goalkeeper. Slavi Spasov then forced Andre Jr into a punch clear as Slough finished the half the stronger side.
Deep into stoppage time, they nearly found the breakthrough when a corner kick fell to Pruti in the box, but a Maidstone defender got a crucial touch before the referee called time on an evenly contested first half.
After the break, Slough emerged with renewed confidence. Just 13 minutes into the second half, they finally broke the deadlock. John Gilbert delivered an inch-perfect corner, and Pruti rose highest to power a header past Andre Jr, sending the home fans into celebration. The goal marked Pruti’s second for Slough, with his first also coming in a home victory over Maidstone back in 2022.
Maidstone responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, making attacking changes as Riley Court and Shaq Coulthirst were introduced from the bench. Court nearly made an instant impact in the 76th minute, latching onto a short corner but slicing his shot wide of the near post. The Stones continued to pile on the pressure, forcing Slough to defend deep.
With 11 minutes remaining, Slough made their own changes, bringing on Jeanmal Prosper for Gilbert and Sam Evans for Amartey, with the latter making his return from injury. As the clock ticked down, Maidstone kept pressing, but Slough’s defence, marshalled by star man Pruti, stood firm.
Tension mounted as six minutes of added time were announced. Maidstone came agonisingly close when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball momentarily loose in the Slough box, but the defence managed to clear, with Horlock appearing to be fouled in the process.
Moments later, Sam Evans was brought down by Jordan Higgs in what looked to be a last-man challenge, but the referee opted to show only a yellow card. Higgs then nearly rescued a point for Maidstone, forcing Horlock into an excellent low save to his right.
Despite relentless late pressure, the Rebels held firm to seal a morale-boosting victory, their first of 2025. The result lifts Slough’s spirits ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to St Albans City while denting Maidstone’s push for automatic promotion.
Image: George Beck
Edon Pruti’s second-half header proved decisive as the Rebels defended resolutely to claim all three points and deal a setback to Maidstone’s National League South title hopes.
The game began at a high tempo, with the visitors initially looking the more threatening. An early corner for Slough was pushed away by Maidstone goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr, before Aaron Blair had the first real chance of the match, firing wide in the 10th minute.
Slough responded quickly, with Henry Ochieng threading a pass into Francis Amartey, who managed to get a shot away but dragged it across the face of goal.
Maidstone continued to apply pressure, with Blair pressing Slough defender Dan Bayliss into an awkward header back towards his own goal, almost looping over Charlie Horlock.
The best chance of the half for the visitors came in the 25th minute when George Fowler connected with a deep free-kick from Ben Brookes, sending his header narrowly wide of Horlock’s left post. At the other end, Lewis Miccio flicked on a Slough free-kick from deep, but no one in an amber shirt could take advantage.
As the first half progressed, Slough began to impose themselves more. Josh Jackman tested Andre Jr from the edge of the box, though his shot was comfortably gathered by the Maidstone goalkeeper. Slavi Spasov then forced Andre Jr into a punch clear as Slough finished the half the stronger side.
Deep into stoppage time, they nearly found the breakthrough when a corner kick fell to Pruti in the box, but a Maidstone defender got a crucial touch before the referee called time on an evenly contested first half.
After the break, Slough emerged with renewed confidence. Just 13 minutes into the second half, they finally broke the deadlock. John Gilbert delivered an inch-perfect corner, and Pruti rose highest to power a header past Andre Jr, sending the home fans into celebration. The goal marked Pruti’s second for Slough, with his first also coming in a home victory over Maidstone back in 2022.
Maidstone responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, making attacking changes as Riley Court and Shaq Coulthirst were introduced from the bench. Court nearly made an instant impact in the 76th minute, latching onto a short corner but slicing his shot wide of the near post. The Stones continued to pile on the pressure, forcing Slough to defend deep.
With 11 minutes remaining, Slough made their own changes, bringing on Jeanmal Prosper for Gilbert and Sam Evans for Amartey, with the latter making his return from injury. As the clock ticked down, Maidstone kept pressing, but Slough’s defence, marshalled by star man Pruti, stood firm.
Tension mounted as six minutes of added time were announced. Maidstone came agonisingly close when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball momentarily loose in the Slough box, but the defence managed to clear, with Horlock appearing to be fouled in the process.
Moments later, Sam Evans was brought down by Jordan Higgs in what looked to be a last-man challenge, but the referee opted to show only a yellow card. Higgs then nearly rescued a point for Maidstone, forcing Horlock into an excellent low save to his right.
Despite relentless late pressure, the Rebels held firm to seal a morale-boosting victory, their first of 2025. The result lifts Slough’s spirits ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to St Albans City while denting Maidstone’s push for automatic promotion.
Image: George Beck
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 3 Lewis Miccio
- 4 Edon Pruti
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 9 Slavi Spasov
- 10 John Gilbert 6
- 11 Francis Amartey 19
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 20 Johnny Goddard
Substitutes
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper 10
- 16 Dan Roth
- 19 Sam Evans 11
- 23 David Ogbonna
- 24 Jack Timberlake
Maidstone United Lineup
Andre Jr.; Brookes (Coulthirst 71), Eweka, Greenidge, Fowler; Trusty, Higgs, Johnson (Court 61), Seaman; Blair, Wanjau-Smith (German 61). Subs not used: Brown, Holden.