Slough Town
1
Shakpoke (23)
Dorking Wanderers
2
Lewis (68), Carter (90)
League
Attendance: 815
Slough Town suffered a cruel late defeat at Arbour Park as Dorking Wanderers struck twice in the final 22 minutes to overturn a first-half deficit and claim all three points in the Enterprise National League South.
The Rebels came into the contest buoyed by a creditable midweek draw at Dagenham & Redbridge, but knowing they faced a significant test against a Dorking side that had won their previous two league fixtures and started the day sixth in the table. Two changes were made to the Slough line-up, with Kiki Oshilaja and Jacob Borgnis returning in place of Brian Nelson and Jared Myers.
It was the visitors who threatened first when Dennon Lewis dragged an early effort wide of Desbois’ right-hand post, but Slough soon settled into the contest. Harvey Walker’s direct running down the right offered an outlet, while Ruben Shakpoke and Wiktor Makowski worked tirelessly to occupy the Wanderers’ back line.
Slough went close on 18 minutes when Shakpoke showed impressive strength inside a crowded penalty area, holding off multiple challenges before the loose ball fell to Tyrese Dyce, whose rising strike cleared the crossbar. That warning shot was followed by the opening goal five minutes later.
From a free kick just outside the area, Tyrique Clarke rolled a short pass into Makowski, who quickly shifted the ball into the path of Shakpoke. The striker took one touch before curling a superb right-footed effort beyond Foulkes and into the far corner to give the Rebels a deserved lead.
Dorking looked to respond immediately. Muitt forced Desbois into a solid parry before Lewis struck a fierce half-volley which the Slough goalkeeper held well. At the other end, sustained pressure almost brought a second as Shakpoke pounced on a loose clearance, forcing Foulkes into a scrambling save as the ball threatened to squeeze in.
The visitors came agonisingly close to equalising shortly before the break. Lewis cut the ball back into the area for Muitt, whose effort looked destined for the net until a last-ditch clearance off the line preserved Slough’s advantage. Despite a slow-burning opening period, the Rebels reached half-time deservedly ahead.
Slough made a change at the interval, introducing Tarik Gidaree for Walker, but it was Dorking who emerged with greater urgency. Lewis continued to be a threat, while Scott Davies produced an important defensive intervention to deny the striker a clear route to goal.
As the second half wore on, Dorking began to find space. Charlie Carter saw an effort comfortably gathered by Desbois, while Jason Prior went to ground inside the box under pressure, the referee unmoved. Slough remained dangerous on the break, and nearly doubled their lead on 67 minutes when Makowski surged through the centre and released Basil Tuma, only for Foulkes to race from his line and deny the winger in a one-on-one.
Moments later, the momentum swung. A short corner routine caught Slough flat-footed and allowed Lewis time and space on the edge of the area, the forward curling an excellent finish beyond Desbois to bring the scores level.
Slough responded positively, with Davies introducing fresh legs in the shape of Ansu Janneh and Luke Holness, while Jared Myers tested Foulkes with a powerful drive from range. As the match entered the closing stages, the Rebels committed bodies forward in search of a winner, but clear openings proved elusive.
The decisive moment arrived on 90 minutes. Casey collected possession under pressure and wriggled away from three challenges before laying the ball back to captain Charlie Carter. From 20 yards, the midfielder unleashed a fierce strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, silencing the home support and completing Dorking’s turnaround.
Slough pushed in the seven minutes of added time, Reiss Greenidge seeing a close-range effort turned behind for a corner, but the visitors held firm to see out the victory.
The result leaves Slough in 22nd place, while Dorking climb to fourth. Attention now turns to a huge Boxing Day derby away at Maidenhead United, as the Rebels look to bounce back over the festive period.
The Rebels came into the contest buoyed by a creditable midweek draw at Dagenham & Redbridge, but knowing they faced a significant test against a Dorking side that had won their previous two league fixtures and started the day sixth in the table. Two changes were made to the Slough line-up, with Kiki Oshilaja and Jacob Borgnis returning in place of Brian Nelson and Jared Myers.
It was the visitors who threatened first when Dennon Lewis dragged an early effort wide of Desbois’ right-hand post, but Slough soon settled into the contest. Harvey Walker’s direct running down the right offered an outlet, while Ruben Shakpoke and Wiktor Makowski worked tirelessly to occupy the Wanderers’ back line.
Slough went close on 18 minutes when Shakpoke showed impressive strength inside a crowded penalty area, holding off multiple challenges before the loose ball fell to Tyrese Dyce, whose rising strike cleared the crossbar. That warning shot was followed by the opening goal five minutes later.
From a free kick just outside the area, Tyrique Clarke rolled a short pass into Makowski, who quickly shifted the ball into the path of Shakpoke. The striker took one touch before curling a superb right-footed effort beyond Foulkes and into the far corner to give the Rebels a deserved lead.
Dorking looked to respond immediately. Muitt forced Desbois into a solid parry before Lewis struck a fierce half-volley which the Slough goalkeeper held well. At the other end, sustained pressure almost brought a second as Shakpoke pounced on a loose clearance, forcing Foulkes into a scrambling save as the ball threatened to squeeze in.
The visitors came agonisingly close to equalising shortly before the break. Lewis cut the ball back into the area for Muitt, whose effort looked destined for the net until a last-ditch clearance off the line preserved Slough’s advantage. Despite a slow-burning opening period, the Rebels reached half-time deservedly ahead.
Slough made a change at the interval, introducing Tarik Gidaree for Walker, but it was Dorking who emerged with greater urgency. Lewis continued to be a threat, while Scott Davies produced an important defensive intervention to deny the striker a clear route to goal.
As the second half wore on, Dorking began to find space. Charlie Carter saw an effort comfortably gathered by Desbois, while Jason Prior went to ground inside the box under pressure, the referee unmoved. Slough remained dangerous on the break, and nearly doubled their lead on 67 minutes when Makowski surged through the centre and released Basil Tuma, only for Foulkes to race from his line and deny the winger in a one-on-one.
Moments later, the momentum swung. A short corner routine caught Slough flat-footed and allowed Lewis time and space on the edge of the area, the forward curling an excellent finish beyond Desbois to bring the scores level.
Slough responded positively, with Davies introducing fresh legs in the shape of Ansu Janneh and Luke Holness, while Jared Myers tested Foulkes with a powerful drive from range. As the match entered the closing stages, the Rebels committed bodies forward in search of a winner, but clear openings proved elusive.
The decisive moment arrived on 90 minutes. Casey collected possession under pressure and wriggled away from three challenges before laying the ball back to captain Charlie Carter. From 20 yards, the midfielder unleashed a fierce strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, silencing the home support and completing Dorking’s turnaround.
Slough pushed in the seven minutes of added time, Reiss Greenidge seeing a close-range effort turned behind for a corner, but the visitors held firm to see out the victory.
The result leaves Slough in 22nd place, while Dorking climb to fourth. Attention now turns to a huge Boxing Day derby away at Maidenhead United, as the Rebels look to bounce back over the festive period.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 6 Reiss Greenidge
- 7 Tyrique Clarke
- 11 Wiktor Makowski 23
- 14 Scott Davies
- 17 Tyrese Dyce
- 22 Jacob Borgnis 28
- 24 Ruben Shakpoke 29
- 25 Harvey Walker 2
- 27 Basil Tuma
Substitutes
- 2 Tarik Gidaree 25
- 3 Peter Ojemen
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas
- 10 Johnny Goddard
- 23 Jared Myers 11
- 28 Ansu Janneh 22
- 29 Luke Holness 24
Dorking Wanderers Lineup
Harrison Foulkes; Brennan Camp, Dan Gallagher, Tony Craig (Frank Vincent 51), Louie Annesley (Patrick Casey 51); Dan Pybus (Louis Storey 61), Jack Young, Jimmy Muitt (George Francomb 78); Charlie Carter (c); Dennon Lewis, Jason Prior. Subs not used: James McShane, Jake Lawrence, Josh Hebert.