Maidenhead United
1
Umerah (2)
Slough Town
3
Holness (35), Oshilaja (72), Myers (90+1)
League
Attendance: 2846
Slough Town delivered a Boxing Day derby performance that will live long in the memory, overcoming an early setback and a controversial red card to defeat local rivals Maidenhead United 3-1 at York Road and secure three crucial points in their battle for National League South survival.
In front of a packed festive crowd of 2,846 – with a huge and vocal travelling following from the Rebel Army, estimated at 560 – Scott Davies’ side produced a display of resilience, discipline and belief to claim a famous victory against all odds. The result lifts Slough up one place in the table to 21st, underlining the importance of a win that could yet prove pivotal as the season unfolds.
The afternoon began in the worst possible fashion for the Rebels. Just two minutes in, Slough failed to deal with the first corner of the game and Josh Popoola’s delivery caused havoc in the six-yard box. Josh Umerah reacted quickest, swivelling sharply to smash the ball home from close range and give Maidenhead an early lead.
Despite the setback, Slough refused to be cowed. They settled quickly into the contest and began to show intent, with Scott Davies’ clever quick free kick almost catching the hosts out as Basil Tuma was slipped into space, while Tyrese Dyce went to ground in the penalty area moments later, only for appeals to be waved away. The game quickly took on the breathless, combative nature expected of a local derby, with both sides trading possession and territory.
Maidenhead threatened again through Jordon Ragguette and Josh Popoola, but Adam Desbois was alert in the Slough goal, dealing confidently with anything that came his way. Gradually, the Rebels grew in confidence, with Tuma and Harvey Walker combining well down the left and Luke Holness leading the line with authority.
Slough’s pressure told on 36 minutes with a superbly worked equaliser. A neat move across the pitch saw Tyrique Clarke find Holness on the edge of the area, and the forward showed real quality on the half-turn to unleash a powerful drive beyond Jordi van Stappershoef and into the net. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the travelling supporters and gave Slough the belief that they could take something special from the afternoon.
The Rebels continued to push before the break, but the match swung dramatically in injury time when Basil Tuma was shown a straight red card following an aerial challenge on Chanse Headman. The decision, viewed by many as harsh, left Slough facing the daunting task of playing the entire second half with ten men.
Scott Davies reshaped his side at the interval, introducing Jared Myers and setting his team up to defend with discipline and purpose. Maidenhead sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage, pushing bodies forward and applying sustained pressure, but Slough’s back line stood firm. A desperate clearance off the line denied Ryan Bartley, while Desbois remained composed under a barrage of crosses and set pieces.
As the second half wore on, Slough’s organisation and work rate were exemplary. The Rebels threw themselves into challenges, and every clearance was roared on by the travelling support behind the goal. Maidenhead dominated possession but struggled to break through a Rebels side defending with courage and intelligence.
Then, on 72 minutes, came the moment that turned the derby on its head. A free kick delivered into the area was only partially cleared to Myers, and when the ball fell kindly for Oshilaja inside the box, the defender showed tremendous composure to fire home and give the ten-man Rebels an astonishing lead.
York Road fell silent as Slough celebrated, but there was still work to do. Maidenhead threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, yet Slough continued to repel wave after wave of pressure, with Desbois producing another important save to tip an in-swinging corner over the bar.
Deep into stoppage time, Slough sealed a famous victory in ruthless fashion. A slick counterattack down the left involving Ansu Janneh, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas and Jared Myers carved open the home defence, and Myers applied the finish from inside the penalty area to make it 3-1 and spark scenes of jubilation among the Rebel Army.
The final whistle confirmed a remarkable Boxing Day triumph – a great win against local rivals, achieved against all odds and with ten men for an entire half. The three points not only delivered festive bragging rights but also lifted Slough up to 21st in the National League South table, providing a timely boost as the season reaches a crucial phase.
Attention now quickly turns to another local derby, as the Rebels return to Arbour Park on Tuesday evening to face Chesham United. After a performance of such character and resilience at York Road, Slough will take plenty of belief into their next challenge, backed by supporters still savouring a truly unforgettable Boxing Day.
In front of a packed festive crowd of 2,846 – with a huge and vocal travelling following from the Rebel Army, estimated at 560 – Scott Davies’ side produced a display of resilience, discipline and belief to claim a famous victory against all odds. The result lifts Slough up one place in the table to 21st, underlining the importance of a win that could yet prove pivotal as the season unfolds.
The afternoon began in the worst possible fashion for the Rebels. Just two minutes in, Slough failed to deal with the first corner of the game and Josh Popoola’s delivery caused havoc in the six-yard box. Josh Umerah reacted quickest, swivelling sharply to smash the ball home from close range and give Maidenhead an early lead.
Despite the setback, Slough refused to be cowed. They settled quickly into the contest and began to show intent, with Scott Davies’ clever quick free kick almost catching the hosts out as Basil Tuma was slipped into space, while Tyrese Dyce went to ground in the penalty area moments later, only for appeals to be waved away. The game quickly took on the breathless, combative nature expected of a local derby, with both sides trading possession and territory.
Maidenhead threatened again through Jordon Ragguette and Josh Popoola, but Adam Desbois was alert in the Slough goal, dealing confidently with anything that came his way. Gradually, the Rebels grew in confidence, with Tuma and Harvey Walker combining well down the left and Luke Holness leading the line with authority.
Slough’s pressure told on 36 minutes with a superbly worked equaliser. A neat move across the pitch saw Tyrique Clarke find Holness on the edge of the area, and the forward showed real quality on the half-turn to unleash a powerful drive beyond Jordi van Stappershoef and into the net. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the travelling supporters and gave Slough the belief that they could take something special from the afternoon.
The Rebels continued to push before the break, but the match swung dramatically in injury time when Basil Tuma was shown a straight red card following an aerial challenge on Chanse Headman. The decision, viewed by many as harsh, left Slough facing the daunting task of playing the entire second half with ten men.
Scott Davies reshaped his side at the interval, introducing Jared Myers and setting his team up to defend with discipline and purpose. Maidenhead sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage, pushing bodies forward and applying sustained pressure, but Slough’s back line stood firm. A desperate clearance off the line denied Ryan Bartley, while Desbois remained composed under a barrage of crosses and set pieces.
As the second half wore on, Slough’s organisation and work rate were exemplary. The Rebels threw themselves into challenges, and every clearance was roared on by the travelling support behind the goal. Maidenhead dominated possession but struggled to break through a Rebels side defending with courage and intelligence.
Then, on 72 minutes, came the moment that turned the derby on its head. A free kick delivered into the area was only partially cleared to Myers, and when the ball fell kindly for Oshilaja inside the box, the defender showed tremendous composure to fire home and give the ten-man Rebels an astonishing lead.
York Road fell silent as Slough celebrated, but there was still work to do. Maidenhead threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, yet Slough continued to repel wave after wave of pressure, with Desbois producing another important save to tip an in-swinging corner over the bar.
Deep into stoppage time, Slough sealed a famous victory in ruthless fashion. A slick counterattack down the left involving Ansu Janneh, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas and Jared Myers carved open the home defence, and Myers applied the finish from inside the penalty area to make it 3-1 and spark scenes of jubilation among the Rebel Army.
The final whistle confirmed a remarkable Boxing Day triumph – a great win against local rivals, achieved against all odds and with ten men for an entire half. The three points not only delivered festive bragging rights but also lifted Slough up to 21st in the National League South table, providing a timely boost as the season reaches a crucial phase.
Attention now quickly turns to another local derby, as the Rebels return to Arbour Park on Tuesday evening to face Chesham United. After a performance of such character and resilience at York Road, Slough will take plenty of belief into their next challenge, backed by supporters still savouring a truly unforgettable Boxing Day.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 2 Tarik Gidaree 16
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 7 Tyrique Clarke 10
- 11 Wiktor Makowski 23
- 14 Scott Davies
- 17 Tyrese Dyce
- 22 Jacob Borgnis
- 25 Harvey Walker 8
- 27 Basil Tuma
- 29 Luke Holness 28
Substitutes
- 3 Peter Ojemen
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 25
- 10 Johnny Goddard 7
- 15 Brian Nelson
- 16 Dan Roth 2
- 23 Jared Myers 11
- 28 Ansu Janneh 29
Maidenhead United Lineup
Jordi van Stappershoef, Ryan Bartley (Sam Barratt 72), Jordon Ragguette (Jayden Mitchell-Lawson 46), Will De Havilland (c), Chanse Headman (Asher Yearwood 72), Matt Robinson, Josh Umerah (Harry Pritchard 76), Liam Dulson, Remy Clerima, Josh Popoola, Manny Onariase. Subs not used: Harvey Collins, Miles Welch-Hayes, Owen Cochrane.