Hornchurch
2
Adams (pen 41), McQueen (45+3)
Slough Town
3
Ogbonna (45), Prosper (73), Spasov (76)
League
Attendance: 546
Slough Town staged a dramatic second-half comeback to secure their first away victory in 11 National League South matches, overcoming Hornchurch 3-2 at Bridge Avenue. Goals from Jeanmal Prosper and Slavi Spasov within three minutes of each other sealed an impressive turnaround, lifting the Rebels to a much-needed win on the road.
The match began with both sides struggling to assert control, though Slough created the early chances. David Ogbonna linked up well with captain-for-the-day Spasov in the third minute, but the latter's header was comfortably gathered by Hornchurch goalkeeper Mason Terry. Johnny Goddard then forced an excellent save from Terry with a curling effort in the 14th minute, before Ogbonna fired wide after some neat interplay with Spasov four minutes later.
Hornchurch soon found their footing, forcing Slough to absorb pressure midway through the first half. Angelo Balanta had a well-struck shot saved by Charlie Horlock in the 20th minute, while Edon Pruti sent a header over from a Goddard corner in the 31st. As the half progressed, both teams found it difficult to dominate possession, leading to a somewhat subdued spell of play.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 41st minute when Hornchurch were awarded a penalty. Slough failed to clear their lines, and Pruti was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Pegrum inside the area. Charlee Adams made no mistake from the spot, sending Horlock the wrong way to give the Urchins the lead.
Slough responded swiftly. A long throw-in into the Hornchurch box caused chaos, and the ball fell to Ogbonna, who swept it into the net through a sea of bodies in the 45th minute. Just when it seemed Slough would go into the break level, a defensive lapse allowed Darren McQueen to pounce in first-half stoppage time, restoring Hornchurch’s advantage at 2-1.
The second half saw Slough make an immediate change, with player-manager Scott Davies making way for Josh Jackman. The visitors missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 54th minute when Goddard lifted his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box. Spasov then tested Terry a minute later but was denied by the Hornchurch goalkeeper.
With Slough pressing for an equaliser, they found a breakthrough in the 73rd minute. John Gilbert, who had replaced Jaiden Bartolo earlier, delivered a pinpoint corner that Prosper met with a powerful header to make it 2-2. Just three minutes later, another long throw from Guy Hollis was not properly dealt with by the Hornchurch defence, allowing Spasov to pounce on a defensive mistake and fire home from ten yards out to put Slough ahead for the first time in the match.
Hornchurch made a flurry of substitutions in the closing stages in an attempt to salvage something from the game, but Slough held firm. The Urchins struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the six minutes of added time, as the Rebels saw out the match professionally to claim a crucial victory.
This win marked Slough's first away triumph since a November victory at Chippenham Town, ending a long run of frustration on the road. The introduction of recent loan signings Jaiden Bartolo and Taylor Clark from Wycombe Wanderers also provided fresh energy, though it was the experience of Spasov and Prosper that ultimately proved decisive in Upminster.
The Rebels will hope this victory sparks a resurgence in their away form as they look to end their National League South campaign on a high.
The match began with both sides struggling to assert control, though Slough created the early chances. David Ogbonna linked up well with captain-for-the-day Spasov in the third minute, but the latter's header was comfortably gathered by Hornchurch goalkeeper Mason Terry. Johnny Goddard then forced an excellent save from Terry with a curling effort in the 14th minute, before Ogbonna fired wide after some neat interplay with Spasov four minutes later.
Hornchurch soon found their footing, forcing Slough to absorb pressure midway through the first half. Angelo Balanta had a well-struck shot saved by Charlie Horlock in the 20th minute, while Edon Pruti sent a header over from a Goddard corner in the 31st. As the half progressed, both teams found it difficult to dominate possession, leading to a somewhat subdued spell of play.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 41st minute when Hornchurch were awarded a penalty. Slough failed to clear their lines, and Pruti was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Pegrum inside the area. Charlee Adams made no mistake from the spot, sending Horlock the wrong way to give the Urchins the lead.
Slough responded swiftly. A long throw-in into the Hornchurch box caused chaos, and the ball fell to Ogbonna, who swept it into the net through a sea of bodies in the 45th minute. Just when it seemed Slough would go into the break level, a defensive lapse allowed Darren McQueen to pounce in first-half stoppage time, restoring Hornchurch’s advantage at 2-1.
The second half saw Slough make an immediate change, with player-manager Scott Davies making way for Josh Jackman. The visitors missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 54th minute when Goddard lifted his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box. Spasov then tested Terry a minute later but was denied by the Hornchurch goalkeeper.
With Slough pressing for an equaliser, they found a breakthrough in the 73rd minute. John Gilbert, who had replaced Jaiden Bartolo earlier, delivered a pinpoint corner that Prosper met with a powerful header to make it 2-2. Just three minutes later, another long throw from Guy Hollis was not properly dealt with by the Hornchurch defence, allowing Spasov to pounce on a defensive mistake and fire home from ten yards out to put Slough ahead for the first time in the match.
Hornchurch made a flurry of substitutions in the closing stages in an attempt to salvage something from the game, but Slough held firm. The Urchins struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the six minutes of added time, as the Rebels saw out the match professionally to claim a crucial victory.
This win marked Slough's first away triumph since a November victory at Chippenham Town, ending a long run of frustration on the road. The introduction of recent loan signings Jaiden Bartolo and Taylor Clark from Wycombe Wanderers also provided fresh energy, though it was the experience of Spasov and Prosper that ultimately proved decisive in Upminster.
The Rebels will hope this victory sparks a resurgence in their away form as they look to end their National League South campaign on a high.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 4 Edon Pruti
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov
- 13 Taylor Clark
- 14 Scott Davies 2
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 20 Johnny Goddard
- 22 Jaiden Bartolo 10
- 23 David Ogbonna
- 25 Guy Hollis
Substitutes
- 2 Josh Jackman 14
- 7 Odysseus Alfa
- 10 John Gilbert 22
- 11 Francis Amartey
- 24 Jack Timberlake
Hornchurch Lineup
Mason Terry, Will Greenidge, Harry Gibbs, Ryan Scott (c) (Giles Phillips 78), Nathan Bertram-Cooper, Charlee Adams, Sean Scannell (George Saunders 74), Angelo Balanta, Charlie Pegrum (Oliver Muldoon 65), Darren McQueen (Tommy Wood 78), Makai Welch (Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 78). Subs not used: none.