Chelmsford City
2
Taylor (63), Adigun (70)
Slough Town
0
League
Attendance: 1250
Slough Town were beaten 2-0 by promotion-chasing Chelmsford City at the Melbourne Stadium on Monday evening as the Clarets struck twice in the second half to claim all three points.
In a contest that saw the Rebels again stretched by injuries, Scott Davies’ side battled hard for long periods but ultimately could not contain a strong Chelmsford side with ambitions of reaching the play-offs.
The hosts made a fast start and nearly went ahead inside two minutes when Charlee Adams fired into the side netting after finding space outside the penalty area. Adams remained a threat in the opening exchanges and forced Alfie Marriott into the first save of the evening shortly afterwards with another effort from distance.
Chelmsford continued to press and Marriott was called into action again on 12 minutes, producing an excellent stop to deny vastly experienced striker Lyle Taylor from close range after a clever pass from Adams had released him behind the Slough defence.
Harry Barbrook then went close for the hosts, meeting a loose clearance with a header that Marriott gathered comfortably.
Despite Chelmsford controlling much of the early possession, Slough gradually began to grow into the game. Their first real opportunity arrived on 21 minutes when Luke Holness unleashed a powerful low strike from around 20 yards that forced Noah Phillips to tip the ball onto the post.
The Rebels began to enjoy a better spell of pressure midway through the half, with Harvey Walker testing Phillips with a low effort before Tyrique Clarke saw a shot blocked following some neat attacking play.
Tarik Gidaree also surged forward down the right and pulled a dangerous cross back across the six-yard box, but Walker was unable to apply the finishing touch.
At the other end Marriott remained busy, producing another excellent reaction save to deny Tristan Abrahams from point-blank range following a long throw that caused problems inside the Slough area.
Despite chances at both ends, the sides went into the interval level, with Marriott’s saves and Holness’ effort against the post the standout moments of the first half.
Chelmsford again started the second period strongly and Marriott was quickly called upon once more, saving from close range as the hosts resumed their attacking momentum.
Taylor went close soon after, poking Harry Barbrook’s cross narrowly wide as Chelmsford looked increasingly threatening.
Slough responded with a promising move of their own when Dyce drove forward down the left before finding Walker, whose cross eventually fell to Clarke. His effort was deflected into the path of Holness, but the forward’s follow-up shot was comfortably saved.
The Rebels then came within inches of breaking the deadlock in a chaotic moment inside the Chelmsford penalty area. Ruben Shakpoke saw two attempts blocked before the ball fell kindly for Gidaree, but Phillips produced an outstanding save to deny the defender from close range.
Moments later Clarke delivered another dangerous ball into the area that deflected onto the crossbar, although play was pulled back with the referee ruling the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.
Chelmsford finally made their pressure count on 63 minutes. Barbrook showed determination to keep the ball alive on the left flank and deliver a cross into the area, where Taylor produced a clever flick that guided the ball into the far corner beyond Marriott.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later. A Slough clearance fell invitingly to Jason Adigun on the edge of the area and he made no mistake, driving a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Davies responded by making a triple substitution shortly afterwards, introducing Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Milan Trotman and John Clarke as the Rebels searched for a route back into the game.
Chelmsford, however, continued to control proceedings and looked comfortable protecting their lead during the closing stages. Tristan Abrahams and substitute Jett Murphy combined well on a counter-attack that ended with Murphy firing narrowly wide.
Slough continued to push forward late on and nearly created a chance when John Clarke met a low delivery at the back post, but the ball just escaped him.
Further changes saw Anyanwu and Pedro Sami introduced for the final stages, but Chelmsford remained largely untroubled as they saw out the game to secure victory.
The result leaves the Rebels in 13th place in the National League South table, while Chelmsford continue their push towards the play-off places.
Slough will now look to bounce back quickly when they travel to Farnborough on Saturday afternoon.
In a contest that saw the Rebels again stretched by injuries, Scott Davies’ side battled hard for long periods but ultimately could not contain a strong Chelmsford side with ambitions of reaching the play-offs.
The hosts made a fast start and nearly went ahead inside two minutes when Charlee Adams fired into the side netting after finding space outside the penalty area. Adams remained a threat in the opening exchanges and forced Alfie Marriott into the first save of the evening shortly afterwards with another effort from distance.
Chelmsford continued to press and Marriott was called into action again on 12 minutes, producing an excellent stop to deny vastly experienced striker Lyle Taylor from close range after a clever pass from Adams had released him behind the Slough defence.
Harry Barbrook then went close for the hosts, meeting a loose clearance with a header that Marriott gathered comfortably.
Despite Chelmsford controlling much of the early possession, Slough gradually began to grow into the game. Their first real opportunity arrived on 21 minutes when Luke Holness unleashed a powerful low strike from around 20 yards that forced Noah Phillips to tip the ball onto the post.
The Rebels began to enjoy a better spell of pressure midway through the half, with Harvey Walker testing Phillips with a low effort before Tyrique Clarke saw a shot blocked following some neat attacking play.
Tarik Gidaree also surged forward down the right and pulled a dangerous cross back across the six-yard box, but Walker was unable to apply the finishing touch.
At the other end Marriott remained busy, producing another excellent reaction save to deny Tristan Abrahams from point-blank range following a long throw that caused problems inside the Slough area.
Despite chances at both ends, the sides went into the interval level, with Marriott’s saves and Holness’ effort against the post the standout moments of the first half.
Chelmsford again started the second period strongly and Marriott was quickly called upon once more, saving from close range as the hosts resumed their attacking momentum.
Taylor went close soon after, poking Harry Barbrook’s cross narrowly wide as Chelmsford looked increasingly threatening.
Slough responded with a promising move of their own when Dyce drove forward down the left before finding Walker, whose cross eventually fell to Clarke. His effort was deflected into the path of Holness, but the forward’s follow-up shot was comfortably saved.
The Rebels then came within inches of breaking the deadlock in a chaotic moment inside the Chelmsford penalty area. Ruben Shakpoke saw two attempts blocked before the ball fell kindly for Gidaree, but Phillips produced an outstanding save to deny the defender from close range.
Moments later Clarke delivered another dangerous ball into the area that deflected onto the crossbar, although play was pulled back with the referee ruling the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.
Chelmsford finally made their pressure count on 63 minutes. Barbrook showed determination to keep the ball alive on the left flank and deliver a cross into the area, where Taylor produced a clever flick that guided the ball into the far corner beyond Marriott.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later. A Slough clearance fell invitingly to Jason Adigun on the edge of the area and he made no mistake, driving a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Davies responded by making a triple substitution shortly afterwards, introducing Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Milan Trotman and John Clarke as the Rebels searched for a route back into the game.
Chelmsford, however, continued to control proceedings and looked comfortable protecting their lead during the closing stages. Tristan Abrahams and substitute Jett Murphy combined well on a counter-attack that ended with Murphy firing narrowly wide.
Slough continued to push forward late on and nearly created a chance when John Clarke met a low delivery at the back post, but the ball just escaped him.
Further changes saw Anyanwu and Pedro Sami introduced for the final stages, but Chelmsford remained largely untroubled as they saw out the game to secure victory.
The result leaves the Rebels in 13th place in the National League South table, while Chelmsford continue their push towards the play-off places.
Slough will now look to bounce back quickly when they travel to Farnborough on Saturday afternoon.
Slough Town Lineup
- 13 Alfie Marriott
- 2 Tarik Gidaree 19
- 3 Erion Zabeli
- 6 Reiss Greenidge
- 7 Tyrique Clarke
- 16 Dan Roth 26
- 17 Tyrese Dyce
- 20 Balu Makumbi 8
- 24 Ruben Shakpoke
- 25 Harvey Walker 18
- 29 Luke Holness 22
Substitutes
- 1 Bob Honey
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 20
- 15 Brian Nelson
- 18 Nnaemeka Anyanwu 25
- 19 Milan Trotman 2
- 22 Pedro Sami 29
- 26 John Clarke 16
Chelmsford City Lineup
Noah Phillips, Harry Barbrook, Joe Grimwood, Dom Odusanya (c), Ben Tompkins, Jason Adigun, Charlee Adams, Adam Crowther, Lyle Taylor, Mandela Egbo, Tristan Abrahams. Subs: Billy Eastwood, Kian Ronan, Tom Lapslie, Sonnie Davis, Kane Crichlow, Jett Murphy.