Chatham Town
0
Slough Town
3
Spasov (pen 18), Lucan (45+4, 63)
FA Cup
Attendance: 702
Slough Town progressed to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying with an impressive 3-0 away win over Isthmian League Premier Division side Chatham Town. Goals from the returning Slavi Spasov and two from Kweku Lucan sealed the victory.
Coming into the match, Slough were favourites; Chatham, though a division below, had demonstrated their giant-killing potential by defeating National League South side Welling United in the previous round. Slough had also faced tough opposition in Chichester City, who play in the same league as Chatham, requiring a replay to secure their place in this round.
Slough were boosted by the return of striker Slavi Spasov, who made his first start since suffering an injury over a month ago. New signing Francis Amartey started on the bench as manager Scott Davies made some key changes to the squad following the midweek departures of John Ufuah and Kareem Isiaka.
The game started at a frantic pace, with both sides exchanging early chances. Lucan found himself through on goal within the first few minutes but dragged his shot wide, while Chatham showed they were ready to battle with some early pressure of their own.
Slough, however, were the ones to break the deadlock. In the 18th minute, Chatham failed to clear their lines after a corner, and in the resulting scramble, David Ogbonna was fouled inside the box. Spasov confidently stepped up and slotted the penalty into the right corner, giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, Spasov had another chance to extend the lead but dragged his shot wide. Chatham responded with a spell of pressure, but Slough's defence, led by captain Dan Bayliss in the absence of Josh Jackman, remained resilient, ensuring their advantage stayed intact.
Just before half time, Slough doubled their lead. After some fantastic pressing by Spasov to dispossess Chatham’s Sam Sene-Richardson, he fed John Gilbert to his left who had two shots saved, only for Kweku Lucan to pounce on the rebound and tap it in, making it 2-0 in stoppage time. The timing of this second goal was crucial, deflating the home side just before the break.
Chatham came out with determination in the second half, creating several half-chances as they looked to claw their way back into the match. Slough, however, were disciplined in defence, with goalkeeper Charlie Horlock rarely troubled despite Chatham's efforts.
Against the run of play, Slough added a third goal in the 63rd minute. Spasov, who had been instrumental throughout, struck a powerful shot from 20 yards out that rattled the crossbar. Once again, Lucan was in the right place at the right time, capitalising on the rebound with a well-taken strike to put the result beyond doubt at 3-0.
Following the third goal, Slough made a series of substitutions, with Spasov and Lucan both being replaced by Sam Evans and Francis Amartey, respectively.
The match experienced a brief stoppage when Chatham striker Rowan Liburd collided with the goal post during a goalmouth scramble, leading to his substitution. Play resumed, but the outcome was already clear, with Slough comfortably seeing out the game.
As the final whistle blew, Slough emerged victorious with a comprehensive 3-0 win, securing their spot in the Fourth Round Qualifying. Despite the scoreline, the match was not as one-sided as it appeared, with Chatham showing spirit throughout, especially in the second half.
Slough player-manager Scott Davies praised both teams after the match, saying, "That was tough! I think every one of us felt battered and bruised coming off the pitch at the end. Two honest teams having an absolute tear-up, proper cup football. Fair play to Chatham Town, they were great hosts and played well."
With this win, Slough now await their next opponent, with the draw for the Fourth Round Qualifying taking place on Monday afternoon, live on TalkSport. For Chatham, their FA Cup journey ends here, but their strong performance against higher-league opposition will give them confidence as they return to Isthmian League action.
Coming into the match, Slough were favourites; Chatham, though a division below, had demonstrated their giant-killing potential by defeating National League South side Welling United in the previous round. Slough had also faced tough opposition in Chichester City, who play in the same league as Chatham, requiring a replay to secure their place in this round.
Slough were boosted by the return of striker Slavi Spasov, who made his first start since suffering an injury over a month ago. New signing Francis Amartey started on the bench as manager Scott Davies made some key changes to the squad following the midweek departures of John Ufuah and Kareem Isiaka.
The game started at a frantic pace, with both sides exchanging early chances. Lucan found himself through on goal within the first few minutes but dragged his shot wide, while Chatham showed they were ready to battle with some early pressure of their own.
Slough, however, were the ones to break the deadlock. In the 18th minute, Chatham failed to clear their lines after a corner, and in the resulting scramble, David Ogbonna was fouled inside the box. Spasov confidently stepped up and slotted the penalty into the right corner, giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, Spasov had another chance to extend the lead but dragged his shot wide. Chatham responded with a spell of pressure, but Slough's defence, led by captain Dan Bayliss in the absence of Josh Jackman, remained resilient, ensuring their advantage stayed intact.
Just before half time, Slough doubled their lead. After some fantastic pressing by Spasov to dispossess Chatham’s Sam Sene-Richardson, he fed John Gilbert to his left who had two shots saved, only for Kweku Lucan to pounce on the rebound and tap it in, making it 2-0 in stoppage time. The timing of this second goal was crucial, deflating the home side just before the break.
Chatham came out with determination in the second half, creating several half-chances as they looked to claw their way back into the match. Slough, however, were disciplined in defence, with goalkeeper Charlie Horlock rarely troubled despite Chatham's efforts.
Against the run of play, Slough added a third goal in the 63rd minute. Spasov, who had been instrumental throughout, struck a powerful shot from 20 yards out that rattled the crossbar. Once again, Lucan was in the right place at the right time, capitalising on the rebound with a well-taken strike to put the result beyond doubt at 3-0.
Following the third goal, Slough made a series of substitutions, with Spasov and Lucan both being replaced by Sam Evans and Francis Amartey, respectively.
The match experienced a brief stoppage when Chatham striker Rowan Liburd collided with the goal post during a goalmouth scramble, leading to his substitution. Play resumed, but the outcome was already clear, with Slough comfortably seeing out the game.
As the final whistle blew, Slough emerged victorious with a comprehensive 3-0 win, securing their spot in the Fourth Round Qualifying. Despite the scoreline, the match was not as one-sided as it appeared, with Chatham showing spirit throughout, especially in the second half.
Slough player-manager Scott Davies praised both teams after the match, saying, "That was tough! I think every one of us felt battered and bruised coming off the pitch at the end. Two honest teams having an absolute tear-up, proper cup football. Fair play to Chatham Town, they were great hosts and played well."
With this win, Slough now await their next opponent, with the draw for the Fourth Round Qualifying taking place on Monday afternoon, live on TalkSport. For Chatham, their FA Cup journey ends here, but their strong performance against higher-league opposition will give them confidence as they return to Isthmian League action.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 4 Lexus Beeden
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 9 Slavi Spasov 19
- 10 John Gilbert 17
- 12 Leon Chambers-Parillon
- 14 Scott Davies 16
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 18 Kweku Lucan 22
- 23 David Ogbonna 7
Substitutes
- 7 Gary Abisogun 23
- 13 Balu Makumbi
- 16 Dan Roth 14
- 17 Oliver Spicer 10
- 19 Sam Evans 9
- 22 Francis Amartey 18
- 24 Jack Timberlake
Chatham Town Lineup
Joe Wright, Miquel Scarlett (Kofi Anokye-Boadi 60), Bailey Akehurst, Stuart O'Keefe (Jordy Robins 79), Jack Evans (c), Freddie Sears, Jamie Yila, Sam Sene-Richardson, Simon Cooper, Charlie Naylor, Rowan Liburd (Kian Garlinge 72). Subs not used: Sid Nelson, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Katonia, Ben Bridle-Card.