Slough Town
3
Hollis (11), Davies (39), Jackman (62)
Aveley
0
League
Attendance: 751
Scott Davies
Slough Town eased to a well-deserved 3-0 victory over already-relegated Aveley at Arbour Park on Saturday afternoon, as goals from Guy Hollis, Scott Davies and Josh Jackman secured a vital three points to move the Rebels up to 17th in National League South.
On a special day for two club stalwarts, defender Guy Hollis marked his 300th appearance in a Slough shirt with a goal, while Charlie Horlock celebrated his 50th outing between the posts with a clean sheet.
The Rebels made three changes from the side that took to the pitch last weekend, with Scott Davies, Johnny Goddard and David Ogbonna returning to the starting lineup. There was also a place on the bench for new dual-registration signing Sean Duodu, who joined from AFC Dunstable before the registration deadline.
Slough started brightly and almost took the lead in the opening minutes, with Slavi Spasov proving a lively presence down the right. A dangerous cross was inches beyond Ogbonna at the far post, and the Bulgarian forward later curled an effort just over from the edge of the box.
The early pressure paid off in the 12th minute. Johnny Goddard delivered a pinpoint corner, and there was only one man who was going to get on the end of it—Guy Hollis rose highest to nod home, with the ball just creeping over the line to mark a fitting milestone goal.
Aveley, despite their lowly status, looked for a response and managed to get into a few promising positions without testing Horlock. Their best chance of the half came when Luke Holness fizzed a ball across the face of goal, only for Brooklyn Kabongolo to miss his connection at the back post.
Slough had further chances through Spasov and Goddard, the latter being denied by Holden before setting up John Gilbert for a shot he couldn’t quite guide on target. The Rebels remained patient, however, and doubled their lead six minutes before half time.
David Ogbonna won a free kick on the edge of the box after some smart attacking play, and Scott Davies stepped up to do what he does best—curling a precise low effort around the wall and off the post to beat Holden.
At 2-0, Slough looked in total control, and they could have extended their lead just after the restart when another quick-thinking free kick from Davies found Spasov in the area, but the striker couldn’t keep his shot on target.
Aveley had a rare sight of goal through former Slough midfielder Tyrese Owen, who fired over from inside the box, before a clever dummy from Ogbonna created space for Gilbert to set up a great chance. The winger’s return ball saw Ogbonna in space, but he could only side-foot his effort wide.
Slough’s third arrived in the 61st minute. Sustained pressure in the Aveley box eventually saw the ball break for Josh Jackman, who drilled a low shot past the keeper for a thoroughly deserved goal and a commanding lead.
With the game all but wrapped up, Slough rang the changes. Henry Ochieng, Spasov, Ogbonna, Goddard and the goalscorer Hollis were all withdrawn in quick succession, giving valuable minutes to Ody Alfa, debutant Duodu, Francis Amartey, Jaiden Bartolo and Taylor Clark.
Despite the changes, Slough kept pushing for a fourth. Gilbert had a couple of late efforts parried by Holden, while Alfa also tested the keeper. At the other end, Horlock was finally called into action in the 64th minute, comfortably saving a low strike from Alfie Lewis to preserve his clean sheet.
This win sees Slough Town move to 51 points with four matches remaining, lifting them into 17th place and all but ensuring National League South status for another season.
A memorable day at Arbour Park for Hollis and Horlock, marked in the best possible way: a clean sheet, three goals, and three points.
On a special day for two club stalwarts, defender Guy Hollis marked his 300th appearance in a Slough shirt with a goal, while Charlie Horlock celebrated his 50th outing between the posts with a clean sheet.
The Rebels made three changes from the side that took to the pitch last weekend, with Scott Davies, Johnny Goddard and David Ogbonna returning to the starting lineup. There was also a place on the bench for new dual-registration signing Sean Duodu, who joined from AFC Dunstable before the registration deadline.
Slough started brightly and almost took the lead in the opening minutes, with Slavi Spasov proving a lively presence down the right. A dangerous cross was inches beyond Ogbonna at the far post, and the Bulgarian forward later curled an effort just over from the edge of the box.
The early pressure paid off in the 12th minute. Johnny Goddard delivered a pinpoint corner, and there was only one man who was going to get on the end of it—Guy Hollis rose highest to nod home, with the ball just creeping over the line to mark a fitting milestone goal.
Aveley, despite their lowly status, looked for a response and managed to get into a few promising positions without testing Horlock. Their best chance of the half came when Luke Holness fizzed a ball across the face of goal, only for Brooklyn Kabongolo to miss his connection at the back post.
Slough had further chances through Spasov and Goddard, the latter being denied by Holden before setting up John Gilbert for a shot he couldn’t quite guide on target. The Rebels remained patient, however, and doubled their lead six minutes before half time.
David Ogbonna won a free kick on the edge of the box after some smart attacking play, and Scott Davies stepped up to do what he does best—curling a precise low effort around the wall and off the post to beat Holden.
At 2-0, Slough looked in total control, and they could have extended their lead just after the restart when another quick-thinking free kick from Davies found Spasov in the area, but the striker couldn’t keep his shot on target.
Aveley had a rare sight of goal through former Slough midfielder Tyrese Owen, who fired over from inside the box, before a clever dummy from Ogbonna created space for Gilbert to set up a great chance. The winger’s return ball saw Ogbonna in space, but he could only side-foot his effort wide.
Slough’s third arrived in the 61st minute. Sustained pressure in the Aveley box eventually saw the ball break for Josh Jackman, who drilled a low shot past the keeper for a thoroughly deserved goal and a commanding lead.
With the game all but wrapped up, Slough rang the changes. Henry Ochieng, Spasov, Ogbonna, Goddard and the goalscorer Hollis were all withdrawn in quick succession, giving valuable minutes to Ody Alfa, debutant Duodu, Francis Amartey, Jaiden Bartolo and Taylor Clark.
Despite the changes, Slough kept pushing for a fourth. Gilbert had a couple of late efforts parried by Holden, while Alfa also tested the keeper. At the other end, Horlock was finally called into action in the 64th minute, comfortably saving a low strike from Alfie Lewis to preserve his clean sheet.
This win sees Slough Town move to 51 points with four matches remaining, lifting them into 17th place and all but ensuring National League South status for another season.
A memorable day at Arbour Park for Hollis and Horlock, marked in the best possible way: a clean sheet, three goals, and three points.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 4 Edon Pruti
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov 21
- 10 John Gilbert 11
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng 13
- 20 Johnny Goddard
- 23 David Ogbonna 7
- 25 Guy Hollis 22
Substitutes
- 7 Odysseus Alfa 23
- 11 Francis Amartey 10
- 13 Taylor Clark 15
- 22 Sean Duodu 9
- 21 Jaiden Bartolo 25
Aveley Lineup
Holden; Leahy, Beadle, Kabongolo, Nkwonta (Leathers 62'); Uche (Ring 62), Owen (c), Lewis (Madia 70); Brown (Ogunrinde 89), Holness, Kawa (Hughes 62). Subs not used: none.