Slough exit League Cup at Northwood

A much-changed Slough Town exit the Southern League Challenge Cup at the hands of Northwood.

A much-changed Slough Town side exited the Southern League Challenge Cup at the Second Round stage with a narrow defeat at Northwood.

Ismael Ehui’s goal early in the second half gave Northwood the win at Chestnut Avenue, the striker sweeping home an Alex Nolan cross to secure a home tie against Chalfont St Peter for the Woods.

Having won at Stratford Town less than 24 hours earlier, Slough predictably changed their entire starting lineup, as joint managers Jon Underwood and Neil Baker drafted in a number of Academy players and experienced players, many of whom played under the joint managers at Godalming Town, to help out.

The result was an open, entertaining contest which Slough were a little unlucky to lose. Gavin Smith volleyed wide early on, and Jamie Jackson saved a long-range effort.

Smith had another chance as Aaron Couch – a former Slough player making his comeback from a long-term injury – played him in, but Montel Joseph saved.

Northwood went close through Channing Campbell-Young and Luke Heneghan, the latter putting a free kick wide.

Slough kept the pressure up and could have gone in front on 42 minutes as Couch tried to lob Joseph, but the ball bounced up and over the bar.

Ehui tapped in Nolan’s low cross to give Northwood the lead in the opening minute of the second half, and the hosts could have doubled that lead but for a goal-line clearance from substitute Steffen Bennett.

Jackson kept Slough in with a chance with a great save from Ryan Debattista, pushing the ball over the bar as the striker raced clear.

In the final ten minutes both sides missed chances – Louis Bircham somehow volleyed well wide and Smith headed a James Dobson corner wide.

A late rally saw the Rebels win a series of corners, and Joseph did well to save from Dobson, with the ball flying across goal and out of danger, but Slough could not stop Woods from progressing.