Gidaree brace inspires Rebels to victory at Beveree

Slough Town produced a resilient performance to claim a crucial three points at the Beveree Stadium, defeating Hampton & Richmond Borough 3-2 in a thrilling National League South encounter.

On a day when the Rebels were once again forced to contend with absentees and reshuffles, right-back Tarik Gidaree proved the unexpected hero with a superb brace, alongside a trademark free-kick from Scott Davies.

The build-up to the game had once again been dominated by Slough’s lengthy injury list, which has tested the depth of the squad in recent weeks. However, there were signs of recovery as Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Jordan Greenidge and Jared Myers were all able to take places on the substitutes’ bench, boosting morale and offering manager Davies a few more options. In goal, there was a first appearance for Northern Ireland youth international Oliver Webber, who joined the club this week as cover for the suspended Adam Desbois. Webber’s debut would prove a baptism of fire, with Hampton & Richmond exerting heavy pressure throughout and forcing the new arrival into several key saves.

The hosts began brightly, showing attacking intent and forcing Slough’s defence into some early interventions. Webber was quickly called into action with a low save, before a corner presented Hampton with a golden opportunity, only for the chance to be skied over the bar from close range. Despite the pressure, it was Slough who struck first. In the 13th minute, a flowing move involving Wiktor Makowski and Harvey Walker carved open space down the right. Walker’s low cross into the six-yard box caused chaos in the Hampton defence, and though Adepoju and Goddard were unable to connect, Gidaree surged into the middle to slot home from close range and give the Rebels an early lead.

Slough continued to look dangerous on the counter, and on 30 minutes Gidaree’s forward run was halted by a foul just outside the penalty area. Nathan Paul-Lavaly was booked for the challenge, and from the resulting free-kick Scott Davies stepped up with his usual authority. The player-manager curled a precise, low effort around the wall and into the bottom corner beyond James Holden, giving the Rebels a 2-0 cushion and sparking huge celebrations from the travelling supporters.

Just as Slough seemed in control, Hampton were handed a lifeline. Craig Fasanmade broke into the box and was brought down by debutant Webber, who was shown a yellow card by the referee. Harry Gardner converted the penalty with confidence on 36 minutes, halving the deficit. The hosts nearly levelled before the break when Fasanmade pounced on a defensive slip, dragging his shot narrowly wide of Webber’s right post. It was a warning for Slough, who were relieved to go into half-time with their lead intact at 2-1.

The second half began with Hampton pushing hard for an equaliser. Within two minutes, a back-post volley was parried behind by Webber, and moments later a dipping free-kick was clawed away from the bottom corner by the alert goalkeeper. Slough needed a reprieve, and it came via a counter-attack sparked by Makowski’s running down the left flank. Though it only led to a corner, it allowed the Rebels to steady themselves before delivering a decisive blow just after the hour.

The third goal again involved Gidaree, who was enjoying his finest attacking display in a Slough shirt. A deep free-kick delivery was worked back into the danger zone, eventually finding Adepoju. His strike took a deflection and broke kindly for Gidaree, who showed composure to squeeze a finish home from a tight angle in the 62nd minute. The right-back had doubled his tally for the afternoon, and he nearly completed a remarkable hat-trick soon after, cutting inside onto his weaker foot and forcing a deflected save from Holden at his near post.

Slough’s task was complicated when Makowski was forced off injured late in the game, leaving the visitors to withstand Hampton pressure for several minutes with ten men until Ruben Bartlett-Antwi was introduced. Drakes-Thomas and Myers also entered the fray as fresh legs, with Brian Nelson replacing Adepoju earlier in the half. Hampton continued to test Webber, who looked increasingly assured as he dealt with high balls into the box and further efforts from distance. But in stoppage time the hosts finally breached Slough’s defence again, Fasanmade pouncing in the third minute of added time to set up a nervy finale.

As the clock ticked on, Hampton spurned a glorious chance to equalise, firing over from close range. Relief swept across the Rebels’ ranks when the final whistle sounded, confirming a hard-earned 3-2 victory. The immediate focus now turns to cup football, with a Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup tie at Binfield on Tuesday evening, before attention shifts to the Emirates FA Cup and a huge Fourth Round Qualifying clash at Arbour Park against Enfield Town next Saturday. If the Rebels can carry the spirit and fight displayed at the Beveree into those fixtures, they will approach the challenges ahead with renewed confidence.