Slough Town
2
Shakpoke (14), Drakes-Thomas (90+6)
Farnborough
0
League
Attendance: 433
Ruben Shakpoke
Slough Town claimed a huge and much-needed three points at Arbour Park with a committed, disciplined display to defeat Farnborough 2-0 — ending a long wait for a league victory stretching back to the 3-2 win at Hampton & Richmond Borough in October, and securing a first league clean sheet since late August.
On a night when the result mattered more than the performance, the Rebels delivered both: full of work-rate and structure, capped by a debut goal from new signing Ruben Shakpoke and a stoppage-time clincher from Jaiden Drakes-Thomas.
Scott Davies made four changes to the side that exited the FA Trophy on Saturday. Reiss Greenidge, Jared Myers, Ansu Janneh and new arrival Shakpoke all came into the XI, with Ojemen, Goddard and Nelson dropping to the bench, with Dan Roth unavailable through illness. The impact of the fresh legs — and the presence of the new striker — was clear from the outset in a bright opening spell.
Slough could have taken the lead even earlier. A sharp move down the left saw Harvey Walker flash a low ball across the box, with Janneh unable to convert before Jacob Borgnis struck wide from the second phase. Davies then sent a free kick into the side-netting after Farnborough captain Ollie Robinson was booked for fouling Wiktor Makowski.
The breakthrough arrived on 14 minutes and was beautifully worked. Shakpoke — showing exactly the kind of pace and vertical threat he was signed for — burst away inside the Farnborough half and slipped an excellent pass through for Makowski. Rather than taking on the shot, Makowski selflessly squared the ball back across the area, allowing Shakpoke to place into the net from around 12 yards and mark his debut with a goal.
After the opener, Farnborough enjoyed a spell of possession without truly testing Adam Desbois, though Amir Hadi passed up a big chance on the half-hour when he lashed wide from a good position. Slough then reasserted control, with Walker and Myers carrying persistent threat from either flank and Makowski going close from distance with an audacious effort that drifted wide. Drakes-Thomas also drew a routine stop from Jack Turner before half-time.
Slough began the second half with intent, breaking from deep through Borgnis, but Drakes-Thomas’ pass to Shakpoke came just too late and the flag went up. Myers then cut inside for a low effort straight at Turner, before Farnborough responded with a couple of efforts from Clifford and Poleon drifting off target.
The Rebels’ best chance to double the lead before the late clincher came just before the hour, when Makowski robbed a defender and fed Drakes-Thomas, whose smart pull-back gave Myers the opportunity to strike the crossbar. It was a move that summed up Slough’s fluidity in transition: sharp, direct, and purposeful.
As the visitors pushed more men forward in search of an equaliser, space began to open up for Slough on the break. Substitute Luke Holness nearly made an instant impact when he rolled his marker and curled a low shot just wide of the right post, while Janneh fired wide moments earlier.
At the other end, Farnborough threatened sporadically. A fierce drive from Michael Klass was pushed behind by Desbois, and the Rebels keeper produced an outstanding save on 84 minutes to deny Poleon, tipping a powerful header over the bar after Holzman’s cross. It was a defining moment — one that preserved the lead at a time when Farnborough were increasing the pressure.
Davies’ side had to endure a nervy final few minutes, with Ojemen replacing the injured Walker, but deep into stoppage time the Rebels finally secured the margin of victory their effort deserved. Holness lifted a clever ball over the defence for Drakes-Thomas, whose right-footed strike from the edge of the box took a huge deflection and looped high over Turner. Arbour Park held its breath for a split second before erupting as the ball dropped in underneath the crossbar.
The relief was obvious; the importance, even more so. A first league win in six weeks, a first league clean sheet in nearly three months, and a leap up two places in the table — tangible evidence that the group is moving in the right direction after a difficult run and so many injuries.
With confidence restored and momentum rebuilt, attention now turns to two more home league fixtures in quick succession: Worthing on Saturday, followed by AFC Totton next Tuesday. Both present big opportunities to continue climbing the National League South table; for now, though, the Rebels can celebrate an important and encouraging step forward at Arbour Park.
On a night when the result mattered more than the performance, the Rebels delivered both: full of work-rate and structure, capped by a debut goal from new signing Ruben Shakpoke and a stoppage-time clincher from Jaiden Drakes-Thomas.
Scott Davies made four changes to the side that exited the FA Trophy on Saturday. Reiss Greenidge, Jared Myers, Ansu Janneh and new arrival Shakpoke all came into the XI, with Ojemen, Goddard and Nelson dropping to the bench, with Dan Roth unavailable through illness. The impact of the fresh legs — and the presence of the new striker — was clear from the outset in a bright opening spell.
Slough could have taken the lead even earlier. A sharp move down the left saw Harvey Walker flash a low ball across the box, with Janneh unable to convert before Jacob Borgnis struck wide from the second phase. Davies then sent a free kick into the side-netting after Farnborough captain Ollie Robinson was booked for fouling Wiktor Makowski.
The breakthrough arrived on 14 minutes and was beautifully worked. Shakpoke — showing exactly the kind of pace and vertical threat he was signed for — burst away inside the Farnborough half and slipped an excellent pass through for Makowski. Rather than taking on the shot, Makowski selflessly squared the ball back across the area, allowing Shakpoke to place into the net from around 12 yards and mark his debut with a goal.
After the opener, Farnborough enjoyed a spell of possession without truly testing Adam Desbois, though Amir Hadi passed up a big chance on the half-hour when he lashed wide from a good position. Slough then reasserted control, with Walker and Myers carrying persistent threat from either flank and Makowski going close from distance with an audacious effort that drifted wide. Drakes-Thomas also drew a routine stop from Jack Turner before half-time.
Slough began the second half with intent, breaking from deep through Borgnis, but Drakes-Thomas’ pass to Shakpoke came just too late and the flag went up. Myers then cut inside for a low effort straight at Turner, before Farnborough responded with a couple of efforts from Clifford and Poleon drifting off target.
The Rebels’ best chance to double the lead before the late clincher came just before the hour, when Makowski robbed a defender and fed Drakes-Thomas, whose smart pull-back gave Myers the opportunity to strike the crossbar. It was a move that summed up Slough’s fluidity in transition: sharp, direct, and purposeful.
As the visitors pushed more men forward in search of an equaliser, space began to open up for Slough on the break. Substitute Luke Holness nearly made an instant impact when he rolled his marker and curled a low shot just wide of the right post, while Janneh fired wide moments earlier.
At the other end, Farnborough threatened sporadically. A fierce drive from Michael Klass was pushed behind by Desbois, and the Rebels keeper produced an outstanding save on 84 minutes to deny Poleon, tipping a powerful header over the bar after Holzman’s cross. It was a defining moment — one that preserved the lead at a time when Farnborough were increasing the pressure.
Davies’ side had to endure a nervy final few minutes, with Ojemen replacing the injured Walker, but deep into stoppage time the Rebels finally secured the margin of victory their effort deserved. Holness lifted a clever ball over the defence for Drakes-Thomas, whose right-footed strike from the edge of the box took a huge deflection and looped high over Turner. Arbour Park held its breath for a split second before erupting as the ball dropped in underneath the crossbar.
The relief was obvious; the importance, even more so. A first league win in six weeks, a first league clean sheet in nearly three months, and a leap up two places in the table — tangible evidence that the group is moving in the right direction after a difficult run and so many injuries.
With confidence restored and momentum rebuilt, attention now turns to two more home league fixtures in quick succession: Worthing on Saturday, followed by AFC Totton next Tuesday. Both present big opportunities to continue climbing the National League South table; for now, though, the Rebels can celebrate an important and encouraging step forward at Arbour Park.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 6 Reiss Greenidge
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas
- 11 Wiktor Makowski 10
- 14 Scott Davies
- 22 Jacob Borgnis
- 23 Jared Myers
- 24 Ruben Shakpoke 29
- 25 Harvey Walker 3
- 28 Ansu Janneh 7
Substitutes
- 3 Peter Ojemen 25
- 7 Tyrique Clarke 28
- 9 Jordan Greenidge
- 10 Johnny Goddard 11
- 15 Brian Nelson
- 26 Josh Adepoju 23
- 29 Luke Holness 24
Farnborough Lineup
Jack Turner, Billy Clifford, Ollie Robinson (c) (John Oyenuga 46), Lachlan Byrd, Jack Young, Louis Lomas (Mason Bloomfield 89), Tommy-Lee Higgs (Michael Klass 46, Hakeem Sandah 90+2), Amir Hadi, Dominic Poleon, Ryan Huke (Rakish Bingham 74), Louie Holzman. Sub not used: Renny Smith.