Rebels end season with battling draw

Slough Town end the 2022/23 season with a 1-1 draw against Braintree Town.

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The Rebels were denied the perfect send-off to the 2022/23 season as Slough and Braintree played out a 1-1 draw at Arbour Park, writes David Tancred.

Lamar Reynolds nearly opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute after the Braintree forward found himself free on the edge on the Slough box, but he struck the ball straight at Will Dennis.

But Slough opened the scoring in the 9th minute, courtesy of a brilliant finish from George Alexander whose half volley on the edge of the box chipped over Billy Johnson to give the Rebels an early lead and continue Alexander’s incredible form.

The forward nearly doubled the lead just three minutes later, as Johnny Goddard whipped a cross into the striker, whose header at full stretch forced a top save out of Johnson.

Ogo Obi was played through on goal in the 21st minute, after a superb ball from Scott Davies found the forward however the strike was tame and didn’t trouble Johnson.

In the second half, the Rebels looked for a killer second goal and nearly got it through Elliot Benyon after Johnny Goddard found Francis Amartey in the Braintree box. The effort from the forward looped up in the air and towards Benyon who forced a cracking save from Johnson.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, Braintree found a way past Dennis in the 65th minute, after substitute Aaron Blair came forward on the right and drilled a ball in towards Baris Altontop. The defender took a touch before smashing the ball past Dennis from close range.

Braintree nearly took the lead straight after in the 66th minute, with the ball falling to Chris Regis in the box who flashed a shot past Dennis’s post.

In the 72nd minute Blair drilled a low shot straight at Dennis; the Slough keeper was kept busy all afternoon and helped keep the Rebels level with a string of superb saves.

The Rebel Army was in fine voice on community day, urging the team on to go sneak a potential winner.

Regis had another chance in the 83rd minute, although the effort was straight down Dennis’s throat.

And in the 87th minute, Dennis provided lightning quick reactions to deny Zak Bradshaw from close range.

It was a solid effort from the Rebels, going toe to toe with a Braintree team that will be completing in the playoffs for a place in the National League next season.

Slough end the season in 18th place, avoiding relegation before a ball was kicked today. The Rebels will look to build on the positive results in 2023, aiming for a stronger finish next season.