Rebels defeat Chesham to secure festive derby double

Slough Town rounded off 2025 in emphatic fashion with a convincing 3-0 victory over Chesham United at Arbour Park, recording back-to-back league wins for the first time this season and completing successive festive derby triumphs following Boxing Day’s memorable success at Maidenhead United.

Having already enjoyed bragging rights in Berkshire earlier in the week, the Rebels turned their attention to Buckinghamshire opposition under the lights, knowing another positive result would carry real significance in the context of their season. It duly arrived in style, with goals from Luke Holness, Kiki Oshilaja and Ruben Shakpoke sealing a dominant performance that lifted Slough out of the bottom four and up to 19th place in the Enterprise National League South with 25 points from 23 matches — exactly halfway through the campaign.

Scott Davies made two changes from the Boxing Day side, with Reiss Greenidge and Jared Myers returning to the starting XI, while Chesham arrived in 12th place and looking to halt the Rebels’ growing momentum. The early stages were cagey, with neither side able to establish control, and only a loose moment at the back from Greenidge threatened to gift the visitors an opening. The loudest reaction inside the first ten minutes, however, came when referee Jake Allsopp slipped on the surface — a light-hearted moment in an otherwise tense local contest.

As the game settled, both sides had penalty appeals waved away within a frantic minute, before Slough began to assert themselves. Scott Davies was alert to intercept a dangerous cross aimed at Karl Oliyide, and the Rebels’ energy in midfield started to tell as Chesham struggled to gain a foothold.

The breakthrough arrived on 16 minutes and stemmed from decisive, direct play. Jacob Borgnis lifted the ball forward from the centre circle, Luke Holness reacted sharply to flick it on, and Jared Myers’ initial effort was blocked. The ball broke kindly for Holness, who kept his composure to fire low underneath Ben Goode and into the net. It was the striker’s second goal in as many league games, following his strike at York Road, and underlined his growing influence in the final third.

Slough continued to look the more threatening side, with Myers and Holness both testing the Chesham defence as Basil Tuma’s pace and trickery began to cause problems down the left. Tuma repeatedly drove at defenders, earning corners and free-kicks, and drew the game’s first booking when former Rebel Matt Lench was cautioned for a late challenge.

The visitors did attempt to respond, stitching together a few neat passing moves, but clear chances were limited as Slough’s defensive unit held firm. Tyrese Dyce was unlucky not to create a second shortly before the break after connecting with a teasing cross from Tuma, while Myers appeared to be impeded as he looked to pounce on the rebound. At the interval, Slough’s 1-0 advantage felt deserved, built on energy, discipline and a growing sense of belief.

The Rebels wasted no time doubling their lead after the restart. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, introduced at half-time for Greenidge, made an immediate impact by delivering an excellent corner from the right. Kiki Oshilaja attacked it with conviction, rising highest to power a header past Goode and into the net. Like Holness, Oshilaja was scoring in consecutive league matches, having also found the net on Boxing Day — a timely contribution from the heart of the defence.

Chesham attempted to rally, but Adam Desbois remained assured when called upon, calmly gathering a low effort from Mitchell Weiss and commanding his area well as pressure briefly mounted. At the other end, Tuma continued to torment the Generals’ back line, drawing further fouls and bookings as Slough threatened to put the game beyond doubt.

Both sides turned to their benches just after the hour mark, with Slough managing the game intelligently as Chesham made multiple changes in an effort to shift the momentum. Despite fresh legs, the visitors struggled to break down a resolute Rebels side, with Davies and Oshilaja marshalling the defence superbly.

The contest was effectively settled on 77 minutes with a devastating counter-attack that showcased Slough at their best. Davies spotted space down the left and delivered a perfectly weighted outside-of-the-boot pass for Wiktor Makowski to chase. The forward showed great awareness to square across the box, where Ruben Shakpoke arrived to apply a simple finish from close range. The goal was made all the more impressive by the fact Shakpoke is currently playing with a broken hand, sustained in the recent defeat to Dorking Wanderers.

With a three-goal cushion, Slough played with confidence and composure in the closing stages. Drakes-Thomas almost caught Goode out with an audacious attempt from distance, while Shakpoke and Makowski both went close to adding a fourth as Chesham’s resistance faded.

The final whistle confirmed a thoroughly convincing 3-0 win — back-to-back league victories, back-to-back festive derby successes, and a fitting way to close out a challenging but increasingly promising 2025. Having spent much of the early part of the campaign battling at the wrong end of the table, the Rebels now find themselves climbing clear of danger and building momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

Attention now turns to another pivotal home fixture, with Eastbourne Borough visiting Arbour Park on Saturday 3 January. With the Rebels showing renewed confidence, cohesion and attacking threat, they will be eager to carry this form into the new year and continue their climb up the National League South table.