Rebels secure first home league win

Slough record their first home league win of the season with an impressive performance against Walton & Hersham at Arbour Park.

Slough Town recorded their first home league victory of the 2026/27 Enterprise National League South campaign with an impressive second-half performance against Walton & Hersham at Arbour Park.

After a relatively even opening 45 minutes, Johnny Goddard's penalty put the Rebels ahead shortly after the restart, before Joe Morrison and Kyle Brooks struck in quick succession to establish a commanding three-goal advantage. Walton pulled one back late on through substitute Kleyton Junior, but Slough comfortably saw out the closing stages to claim a valuable three points.

The result was particularly important for the Rebels, who came into the afternoon having suffered five consecutive league defeats and looking for a result to kickstart their season. Walton arrived in Slough having also lost their previous three matches, with both clubs occupying the bottom two positions in the table.

There were five changes to the Slough starting XI following the defeat at Maidstone United the previous weekend, with new loan signing Toby Byron making his debut. Shay Spencer, Kyle Brooks, Johnny Goddard and Luke Holness also returned to the side, while Ruben Shakpoke was unavailable through suspension.

The newly arrived Byron was immediately involved, registering an early effort from distance which was comfortably gathered by Walton goalkeeper Dillon Addai.

The visitors were fortunate to escape without a booking in the tenth minute after Ikechi Eze caught Goddard with a hefty challenge, while both sides continued to compete strongly in midfield as the opening half developed.

Slough enjoyed spells of possession but found it difficult to create clear openings against a well-organised Walton defence.

Byron tried his luck again from range in the 36th minute, but Addai was once more equal to the effort. A minute later, Goddard dragged a strike wide of the right-hand post as the Rebels looked to make their territorial pressure count.

Walton also threatened from distance, with Joe Bennett firing wide in the 42nd minute, but neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled during the opening period.

The teams went into half time with the score goalless, although Slough would emerge from the interval with considerably greater attacking intent.

The breakthrough arrived just four minutes after the restart.

Slough were awarded a corner and, amid the ensuing penalty-area action, Holness was brought down by a Walton defender. Referee Ben Robinson immediately pointed to the spot, and Goddard stepped forward to take responsibility.

The winger showed his composure, calmly sending Addai the wrong way with a finish down the middle to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.

The goal lifted the home side, and Slough almost doubled their advantage five minutes later through an excellent individual contribution from Sundire.

The midfielder embarked on a powerful run down the left, driving into the attacking third before helping create an opportunity for Holness. The forward's attempt looked promising, but Walton managed to get a block in to prevent the ball reaching the target.

Brooks then threatened to get in behind the visiting defence in the 63rd minute, only to be pulled back by an opponent. There were appeals for a red card from the home side, but the referee opted for a yellow.

Goddard received the resulting free-kick on the right and delivered into the penalty area with excellent quality, but Holness could not keep his header below the crossbar.

With Slough looking to strengthen their advantage, Jared Myers was introduced in place of Dennon Lewis in the 71st minute.

The substitution had an immediate impact. Myers played an important part in winning a corner for the Rebels, and from the resulting delivery Slough found the net for a second time.

Myers' attempt at goal travelled across the face of the Walton goal, where Morrison was perfectly positioned to turn the ball home and double the advantage in the 72nd minute.

There was barely time for the visitors to regroup before Slough struck again.

Just two minutes later, Goddard provided the pass which released Brooks into space. The midfielder showed excellent composure as Addai advanced from his goal, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 3-0.

It was a decisive spell from the Rebels, who had turned a tightly contested match into a commanding position in the space of a few minutes.

Munashe Sundire strode forward and stung the palms of Addai from 25 yards as Slough, now full of confidence, pushed forward again.

Goddard was subsequently replaced by Saikou Janneh, while Elijah Oladunjoye came on for debutant Byron in the 80th minute.

There was a welcome moment for the home supporters two minutes later as Henry Ochieng made his long-awaited return to the pitch at Arbour Park, replacing Sundire.

The midfielder's return was a significant moment after his lengthy absence through a serious ACL injury, and he received a warm welcome as he entered the action.

Walton managed to reduce the deficit in the 85th minute. New signing Archy Taylor, making his first appearance for the visitors following his arrival from Horsham, delivered an effort towards goal which was bundled over the line at the far post by substitute Kleyton Junior.

The goal gave Walton a brief opportunity to build some late momentum, but Slough remained on the front foot and continued to look for further opportunities.

Holness, with his back to goal inside the penalty area in the 86th minute, turned and forced Addai into another save following neat play involving Janneh and Brooks.

Five additional minutes were indicated, but the Rebels managed the remainder of the contest professionally to secure the victory.

The final whistle confirmed a welcome first home league win of the campaign for Slough, with three second-half goals providing a deserved reward for an improved performance after the interval.

Goddard's penalty provided the platform, while Morrison's close-range finish and Brooks' excellent contribution completed an important afternoon for the Rebels.

The result takes Slough to seven points in the National League South as they look to build momentum following a difficult opening to the campaign.

The Rebels now turn their attention to the FA Trophy, with a trip to Didcot Town next Saturday, before returning to league action away at Billericay Town on Saturday 21 November.