Slough beaten by Dorking comeback on McKimm’s first day

Steve McKimm’s first match as Slough Town manager ends in defeat as Dorking Wanderers come from behind to win.

Steve McKimm’s first match as Slough Town manager ended in defeat as Dorking Wanderers came from behind to win 3-1 in wet and windy conditions at Arbour Park.

Ruben Shakpoke had given the Rebels a first-half lead, but Dorking turned the match around after the interval through George Nikaj, James McShane and Josh Barrett.

It was the latest chapter in a significant week for Slough Town, following the appointment of McKimm and his management team, the announcement of a strategic investment partnership with Development Holding Company and the signing of former Dorking Player of the Season Dennon Lewis.

Lewis was unable to feature against his former club, while McKimm made two changes to the starting XI from last weekend’s defeat to Horsham, with Keenan Quansah and Dennis Adeniran coming into the side.

Dorking arrived in SL2 sitting 10th in National League South, having won four and drawn five of their opening 11 league matches. The visitors started positively and enjoyed plenty of possession during the opening stages, although neither side was able to seriously test the opposing goalkeeper in the first ten minutes.

George Nikaj was the first to get an effort on target, sending a shot from around 25 yards towards Killian Barrett, who gathered comfortably.

Slough then produced the breakthrough with their first real opening of the afternoon.

On 15 minutes, Saikou Janneh spotted the run of Shakpoke and played an excellent through ball behind the Dorking defence. Shakpoke got in behind and remained composed, slotting a low finish into the bottom right corner to give the Rebels the lead.

Dorking continued to see plenty of the ball, but Slough looked dangerous when they were able to break forward.

Johnny Goddard picked out Janneh with a cross into the penalty area, but the forward was unable to guide his header towards goal.

Dorking then created another opportunity when Jack Wood delivered an excellent cross towards Nikaj, whose header was directed straight at Barrett.

Slough went close again midway through the half. Goddard released Janneh on a counterattack and, despite being forced slightly wide, the forward managed to get a low effort away. Dorking goalkeeper Glenn Morris reacted quickly, making the save with his boot.

Barrett was then called upon at the other end shortly before half time, producing an excellent stop to deny Josh Barrett’s powerful effort from range.

The Rebels therefore went into the interval with their lead intact.

Dorking emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and levelled six minutes into the second half.

McShane played a perfectly weighted ball through to Nikaj, who took one touch before chopping past his defender. The forward then smashed his finish past Barrett at the near post to make it 1-1.

The equaliser shifted the momentum of the contest and Dorking completed the turnaround nine minutes later.

Josh Barrett cleverly slipped the ball into the path of McShane, who had space to his left. The midfielder made no mistake, calmly slotting his finish into the bottom left corner to put the visitors ahead.

Slough attempted to respond, but Dorking continued to pose a threat in transition.

Jamie Odegah replaced Janneh in the 71st minute as the Rebels looked for a route back into the contest, but Dorking extended their advantage six minutes later.

Jack Wood broke away down the left and found Josh Barrett in space. Barrett advanced towards goal before keeping his composure to slot past Killian Barrett and make it 3-1.

Slough continued to search for a way back into the match and had an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Luke Holness fired over the crossbar.

Holness had replaced Latrell Humphrey-Ewers in the 79th minute, while Jared Myers came on for Goddard five minutes later.

Jaiden Drakes-Thomas was introduced for Shakpoke in the closing stages, but the Rebels could not find a second goal.

Dorking made a final change in added time, with Charlie Sayers replacing McShane, and the visitors saw out the remaining minutes to secure all three points.

The result brought a disappointing conclusion to McKimm’s first match in charge, with Slough unable to protect their half-time advantage.

The Rebels will now look to respond quickly when they travel to Truro City on Tuesday evening.