Hemel Hempstead Town
0
Slough Town
3
Makowski (17, 25), Dyce (45+7)
League
Attendance: 680
Slough Town produced a superb away performance to claim a commanding 3-0 victory over promotion-chasing Hemel Hempstead Town at The Focus Community Arena, recording their fourth win in five league matches and continuing an impressive upturn in form in the Enterprise National League South.
Facing a Hemel side that began the day fifth in the table and just four points off the summit, the Rebels arrived in Hertfordshire knowing the challenge ahead would be a stern one. However, backed by strong travelling support and full of confidence after recent results, Slough delivered a clinical and composed display to secure three vital points.
Scott Davies made three changes to the side that had narrowly lost at Chippenham Town in midweek, with Tarik Gidaree, Johnny Goddard and Harvey Walker returning to the starting XI. There was also a personal milestone for Tyrese Dyce, who marked his 50th appearance in Rebels colours.
The home side made the brighter start, with Mauro Vilhete denied from close range by Adam Desbois inside the opening three minutes. Hemel continued to apply early pressure, forcing Slough to defend resolutely, and Kyle Ajayi went close with a header from a corner that drifted narrowly wide.
A moment of controversy followed on 11 minutes when a long ball into the box from Davies was spilled by goalkeeper Michael Johnson, appearing to strike the arm of a Hemel defender in the process. Despite strong appeals from the Slough players and supporters, the referee waved play on.
Slough soon turned pressure into reward in emphatic fashion. On 17 minutes, a long ball forward caused confusion between Ajayi and Johnson, the pair colliding and allowing Wiktor Makowski to react quickest and roll the ball into an empty net to give the Rebels the lead.
The visitors sensed an opportunity and continued to press. Makowski was soon involved again, going down in the box under a challenge, but once more appeals were ignored. Hemel struggled to regain their composure, and Slough doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Walker delivered a wicked ball into the back area of the box, where Makowski volleyed goalwards. Johnson appeared to claw the effort back from over the line, but the assistant signalled a goal, crediting Makowski with his second of the afternoon despite Ruben Shakpoke following up.
A lengthy stoppage followed after Scott Davies was caught by a heavy challenge, but the player-manager was able to continue and Slough resumed control. Hemel attempted to respond through Oliver Davis and Vilhete, but Desbois remained largely untroubled, while Gidaree and Clarke combined well down the right to maintain Slough’s attacking threat.
As the half entered extended stoppage time, Slough delivered a devastating final blow. A free-kick was swung into the area from the left by Goddard, and with bodies packed into the box, Dyce rose highest to power a header past Johnson. It was a fitting moment for the midfielder on his 50th appearance, sending the Rebels into the break with a commanding three-goal advantage.
Hemel made two changes at the interval and began the second half with renewed intent, forcing Slough to defend early deliveries into the box. Trae Cook-Appiah – once on loan at Slough – headed over from a promising position, but the Rebels remained calm and organised.
Desbois was finally called into action on the hour mark, producing an excellent full-stretch save to turn away a strike from Oliver Davis before confidently claiming the resulting corner. That moment effectively summed up Slough’s afternoon – resilient when required, but always composed.
As the half wore on, Slough managed the game intelligently, retaining possession and choosing moments to counter. Oshilaja and Clarke marshalled the back line superbly, while Borgnis and Dyce worked tirelessly in midfield to disrupt Hemel’s rhythm.
The home side’s frustration grew, and matters worsened for them on 82 minutes when captain Ajayi was shown a straight red card following a coming together with Oshilaja. Slough responded by introducing fresh legs, making a series of substitutions to see the game out professionally.
Despite a handful of half-chances on the counter, Slough were content to protect their lead, and the final whistle confirmed a comprehensive and deserved victory, along with a clean sheet to cap a fine team performance.
The result keeps Slough in 18th place, but crucially, all six teams below them also lost, making it a hugely significant afternoon in the context of the relegation battle. For Hemel, defeat was a blow to their promotion ambitions, while for Slough it underlined the progress made in recent weeks.
Attention now turns back to Arbour Park next Saturday, where the Rebels host Tonbridge Angels, looking to build further momentum and continue their climb up the National League South table.
Facing a Hemel side that began the day fifth in the table and just four points off the summit, the Rebels arrived in Hertfordshire knowing the challenge ahead would be a stern one. However, backed by strong travelling support and full of confidence after recent results, Slough delivered a clinical and composed display to secure three vital points.
Scott Davies made three changes to the side that had narrowly lost at Chippenham Town in midweek, with Tarik Gidaree, Johnny Goddard and Harvey Walker returning to the starting XI. There was also a personal milestone for Tyrese Dyce, who marked his 50th appearance in Rebels colours.
The home side made the brighter start, with Mauro Vilhete denied from close range by Adam Desbois inside the opening three minutes. Hemel continued to apply early pressure, forcing Slough to defend resolutely, and Kyle Ajayi went close with a header from a corner that drifted narrowly wide.
A moment of controversy followed on 11 minutes when a long ball into the box from Davies was spilled by goalkeeper Michael Johnson, appearing to strike the arm of a Hemel defender in the process. Despite strong appeals from the Slough players and supporters, the referee waved play on.
Slough soon turned pressure into reward in emphatic fashion. On 17 minutes, a long ball forward caused confusion between Ajayi and Johnson, the pair colliding and allowing Wiktor Makowski to react quickest and roll the ball into an empty net to give the Rebels the lead.
The visitors sensed an opportunity and continued to press. Makowski was soon involved again, going down in the box under a challenge, but once more appeals were ignored. Hemel struggled to regain their composure, and Slough doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Walker delivered a wicked ball into the back area of the box, where Makowski volleyed goalwards. Johnson appeared to claw the effort back from over the line, but the assistant signalled a goal, crediting Makowski with his second of the afternoon despite Ruben Shakpoke following up.
A lengthy stoppage followed after Scott Davies was caught by a heavy challenge, but the player-manager was able to continue and Slough resumed control. Hemel attempted to respond through Oliver Davis and Vilhete, but Desbois remained largely untroubled, while Gidaree and Clarke combined well down the right to maintain Slough’s attacking threat.
As the half entered extended stoppage time, Slough delivered a devastating final blow. A free-kick was swung into the area from the left by Goddard, and with bodies packed into the box, Dyce rose highest to power a header past Johnson. It was a fitting moment for the midfielder on his 50th appearance, sending the Rebels into the break with a commanding three-goal advantage.
Hemel made two changes at the interval and began the second half with renewed intent, forcing Slough to defend early deliveries into the box. Trae Cook-Appiah – once on loan at Slough – headed over from a promising position, but the Rebels remained calm and organised.
Desbois was finally called into action on the hour mark, producing an excellent full-stretch save to turn away a strike from Oliver Davis before confidently claiming the resulting corner. That moment effectively summed up Slough’s afternoon – resilient when required, but always composed.
As the half wore on, Slough managed the game intelligently, retaining possession and choosing moments to counter. Oshilaja and Clarke marshalled the back line superbly, while Borgnis and Dyce worked tirelessly in midfield to disrupt Hemel’s rhythm.
The home side’s frustration grew, and matters worsened for them on 82 minutes when captain Ajayi was shown a straight red card following a coming together with Oshilaja. Slough responded by introducing fresh legs, making a series of substitutions to see the game out professionally.
Despite a handful of half-chances on the counter, Slough were content to protect their lead, and the final whistle confirmed a comprehensive and deserved victory, along with a clean sheet to cap a fine team performance.
The result keeps Slough in 18th place, but crucially, all six teams below them also lost, making it a hugely significant afternoon in the context of the relegation battle. For Hemel, defeat was a blow to their promotion ambitions, while for Slough it underlined the progress made in recent weeks.
Attention now turns back to Arbour Park next Saturday, where the Rebels host Tonbridge Angels, looking to build further momentum and continue their climb up the National League South table.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 2 Tarik Gidaree 16
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 7 Tyrique Clarke
- 10 Johnny Goddard 8
- 11 Wiktor Makowski 23
- 14 Scott Davies 20
- 17 Tyrese Dyce
- 22 Jacob Borgnis 15
- 24 Ruben Shakpoke
- 25 Harvey Walker
Substitutes
- 6 Reiss Greenidge
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 10
- 15 Brian Nelson 22
- 16 Dan Roth 2
- 18 Nnaemeka Anyanwu
- 20 Balu Makumbi 14
- 23 Jared Myers 11
Hemel Hempstead Town Lineup
Michael Johnson, Darion Dowrich, Kyle Ajayi (c), Charlie Rowan (George Williams 46), Millar Matthews-Lewis, Joe White, Oliver Davis, Mathew Achuba (Kyran Wiltshire 70), Jack Bateson, Mauro Vilhete (Trae Cook-Appiah 46), Devante Stanley. Subs not used: Finley Wilkinson, James Holden.