Maidstone United
1
Gilbert (39)
Slough Town
2
Tuma (61), Drakes-Thomas (71)
League
Attendance: 1909
Slough Town produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Maidstone United 2-1 at Gallagher Stadium, overcoming a disrupted journey and a first-half deficit to record a sixth win in eight league matches and climb to 16th in the table.
Kick-off itself was delayed by 30 minutes following a serious accident on the M25 which held up members of the Slough squad and a large travelling support. Many Rebels fans did not arrive until around half-time — but those who made it were rewarded with one of the side’s most impressive performances of the season.
Maidstone began quickly and should have led inside two minutes when George Fowler delivered a superb cross from the right. Muhammadu Faal found space six yards out but headed over the bar. The hosts continued to look dangerous early on and Slough were relieved moments later when Scott Davies’ attempted back-pass curled beyond Adam Desbois but clipped the side netting.
Gradually the Rebels settled. Wiktor Makowski and Basil Tuma combined well on the right, Tuma shooting across goal when well placed, before Jared Myers drove narrowly wide from a tight angle. The visitors were beginning to find rhythm and create openings, but Maidstone remained a threat in wide areas. Jephte Tanga’s looping delivery to the back post was headed on by Taylor Foran and Desbois reacted sharply to deny Faal at close range.
The breakthrough arrived on 39 minutes and went the way of the hosts. Leo Hamblin’s excellent pass found Deon Moore, whose volley was parried by Desbois. Moore scuffed the rebound but John Gilbert reacted first to fire high into the net from close range.
Slough nearly responded immediately. Johnny Goddard’s cross picked out Makowski just yards out and although Nathan Harness spilled the effort, the goalkeeper recovered in time to gather. Before the interval Tanga forced another save from Desbois and Fowler threatened on the follow-up as the Rebels went into the break trailing 1-0.
Maidstone almost doubled their advantage early in the second half. Sam Corne released Moore and his cross found Faal sliding in from point-blank range, only for Desbois to make a brave stop to keep Slough in the match.
That moment proved pivotal.
The Rebels began to grow into the contest. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas fired narrowly wide and sustained pressure followed as Slough attacked down the right. Their equaliser arrived on 61 minutes and it was a well-worked counter-attack. Makowski broke forward and picked out Basil Tuma inside the box; the winger showed composure to guide a controlled finish beyond Harness.
Suddenly momentum shifted. Tyrese Dyce nearly produced a spectacular long-range effort that whistled inches over, and Slough looked the more likely winners. The decisive goal came ten minutes later. Substitute Ruben Shakpoke drove past David Agbontohoma to the by-line and pulled the ball back perfectly for Drakes-Thomas, who calmly stroked the ball into the corner to complete the turnaround.
Maidstone responded with a flurry of changes and late pressure. Riley Court’s free-kick was well saved by Desbois and the Stones pushed bodies forward during nine minutes of stoppage time, but Slough defended resolutely. Desbois commanded his area superbly while Kiki Oshilaja and Scott Davies repeatedly cleared dangerous deliveries.
When the final whistle arrived, the travelling Rebels supporters — many of whom had only reached the ground at the interval — celebrated a memorable away victory.
After a difficult journey and first-half setback, Slough’s resilience, organisation and pace on the counter-attack proved decisive. The result lifts the Rebels to 16th in the National League South table, with Weston-super-Mare the visitors to Arbour Park on Tuesday evening.
Kick-off itself was delayed by 30 minutes following a serious accident on the M25 which held up members of the Slough squad and a large travelling support. Many Rebels fans did not arrive until around half-time — but those who made it were rewarded with one of the side’s most impressive performances of the season.
Maidstone began quickly and should have led inside two minutes when George Fowler delivered a superb cross from the right. Muhammadu Faal found space six yards out but headed over the bar. The hosts continued to look dangerous early on and Slough were relieved moments later when Scott Davies’ attempted back-pass curled beyond Adam Desbois but clipped the side netting.
Gradually the Rebels settled. Wiktor Makowski and Basil Tuma combined well on the right, Tuma shooting across goal when well placed, before Jared Myers drove narrowly wide from a tight angle. The visitors were beginning to find rhythm and create openings, but Maidstone remained a threat in wide areas. Jephte Tanga’s looping delivery to the back post was headed on by Taylor Foran and Desbois reacted sharply to deny Faal at close range.
The breakthrough arrived on 39 minutes and went the way of the hosts. Leo Hamblin’s excellent pass found Deon Moore, whose volley was parried by Desbois. Moore scuffed the rebound but John Gilbert reacted first to fire high into the net from close range.
Slough nearly responded immediately. Johnny Goddard’s cross picked out Makowski just yards out and although Nathan Harness spilled the effort, the goalkeeper recovered in time to gather. Before the interval Tanga forced another save from Desbois and Fowler threatened on the follow-up as the Rebels went into the break trailing 1-0.
Maidstone almost doubled their advantage early in the second half. Sam Corne released Moore and his cross found Faal sliding in from point-blank range, only for Desbois to make a brave stop to keep Slough in the match.
That moment proved pivotal.
The Rebels began to grow into the contest. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas fired narrowly wide and sustained pressure followed as Slough attacked down the right. Their equaliser arrived on 61 minutes and it was a well-worked counter-attack. Makowski broke forward and picked out Basil Tuma inside the box; the winger showed composure to guide a controlled finish beyond Harness.
Suddenly momentum shifted. Tyrese Dyce nearly produced a spectacular long-range effort that whistled inches over, and Slough looked the more likely winners. The decisive goal came ten minutes later. Substitute Ruben Shakpoke drove past David Agbontohoma to the by-line and pulled the ball back perfectly for Drakes-Thomas, who calmly stroked the ball into the corner to complete the turnaround.
Maidstone responded with a flurry of changes and late pressure. Riley Court’s free-kick was well saved by Desbois and the Stones pushed bodies forward during nine minutes of stoppage time, but Slough defended resolutely. Desbois commanded his area superbly while Kiki Oshilaja and Scott Davies repeatedly cleared dangerous deliveries.
When the final whistle arrived, the travelling Rebels supporters — many of whom had only reached the ground at the interval — celebrated a memorable away victory.
After a difficult journey and first-half setback, Slough’s resilience, organisation and pace on the counter-attack proved decisive. The result lifts the Rebels to 16th in the National League South table, with Weston-super-Mare the visitors to Arbour Park on Tuesday evening.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 2 Tarik Gidaree
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 15
- 10 Johnny Goddard 7
- 11 Wiktor Makowski
- 14 Scott Davies
- 17 Tyrese Dyce
- 22 Jacob Borgnis
- 23 Jared Myers 24
- 30 Basil Tuma
Substitutes
- 7 Tyrique Clarke 10
- 15 Brian Nelson 8
- 16 Dan Roth
- 18 Nnaemeka Anyanwu
- 20 Balu Makumbi
- 24 Ruben Shakpoke 23
- 27 Ethan Mosdell
Maidstone United Lineup
Nathan Harness; George Fowler, Taylor Foran, David Agbontohoma (David Sesay 73), Leo Hamblin, Sam Corne, TJ Bramble, John Gilbert (Jamie Yila 84), Jephte Tanga (Hamzad Kargbo 75), Deon Moore, Muhammadu Faal (Riley Court 73). Sub not used: Lenny Holden.