Poleon strike wins televised clash for Fleet

Slough fall to Dominic Poleon's solitary strike against runaway leaders Ebbsfleet United.

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Slough fell to a second half super strike from Dominic Poleon as the Rebels lost at home to runaway leaders Ebbsfleet United, writes David Tancred.

The Rebels were a part of history this afternoon with this fixture against Ebbsfleet being the first time that a match from the National League South was broadcast live, on BT Sport.

The Rebels started the game off strongly but were unable to get a clear shot away.

Ebbsfleet had their first chance of the game on eight minutes when Toby Edser whipped in a corner towards the far post with Dominic Poleon getting on the end of it and heading just wide of Will Dennis’s goal.

The away side struck the post on 22 minutes as Ben Chapman hit a low cross in towards Poleon, whose shot came back off the post with the rebound falling into Will Dennis’s arms.

Dennis was called into action again on 37 after Gregory Cundle’s effort was deflected from just inside the area with the Rebels goalkeeper doing superbly to tip the ball over the bar and out for a corner.

The Rebels nearly sneaked a goal just before half time after a brilliant kick from Dennis found striker George Alexander, however the debutant was unable to control the long ball with Mark Cousins safely claiming.

Alexander had an audacious effort from an awkward angle on 58, with the strike dipping just over the bar.

Ebbsfleet nearly opened the scoring two minutes later after Rakish Bingham got in behind the Slough defence and saw his effort strike the inside of the far post and stay out of the Rebels goal.

But Slough were unable to prevent Poleon – the league’s top scorer – making the breakthrough for Ebbsfleet on 68 minutes. After a short run down the left which allowed Poleon to drive forward and cut inside onto his right, his strike from distance caught Dennis off guard somewhat and despite the best attempts from the Rebels keeper, he wasn’t able to keep it out with the ball hitting the roof of the net.

Slough kept pushing for their equaliser, and had a chance four minutes from the end. After Johnny Goddard got the ball from a long throw and put the ball into the six yard box, the ball was cleared only to Shane Bush, whose effort from the edge of the area was well wide of Cousins’ goal.

The Rebels gave it their all this afternoon, losing narrowly at home to a team that is comfortably top of the league.

Slough will look to turn their fortunes around next Saturday with a trip away to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Image: George Beck