Slough defeated by Worthing's first half blitz

Slough Town’s strong recent run came to an abrupt halt on the south coast as Worthing delivered a devastating first-half performance at Woodside Road, leaving the Rebels with too much to do despite an improved second-half display.

The Rebels travelled to West Sussex in encouraging form. Unbeaten in four matches and with six victories from their previous nine league outings, Scott Davies’ side had steadily climbed away from the lower reaches of the table and arrived in 14th place. Worthing, by contrast, sat inside the play-off positions but had endured a difficult spell, winless in eight league games and under pressure to revive their promotion push in front of their home support.

However, from the first whistle it quickly became clear the hosts intended to make a statement.

Inside the opening minute Razzaq Coleman De-Graft broke down the right flank and cut inside before driving a low effort towards the near post. Adam Desbois reacted well to turn the ball behind, an early sign of the pressure Slough would face throughout the opening period.

Worthing continued to press aggressively and nearly opened the scoring moments later from the resulting set-piece. A clever routine worked the ball to Jack Young, who picked out leading scorer Brad Dolaghan in the six-yard box, but Balu Makumbi threw himself in the way to produce a brave block.

The reprieve lasted only briefly. On six minutes Worthing forced a turnover high up the pitch when Teddy Jenks dispossessed Makumbi just outside the penalty area. With the Slough defence momentarily exposed, Jenks kept his composure and placed a low finish beyond Desbois into the bottom corner to give the hosts an early lead.

Slough attempted to respond through quick transitions, but committing players forward left space for Worthing to exploit. Remiero Moulton drove forward and fired narrowly wide from distance as the hosts continued to dominate territory and tempo.

Despite the pressure, Slough almost found a way back into the contest midway through the half. Wiktor Makowski reacted sharply to a loose ball on the edge of the area and struck firmly on the turn, forcing goalkeeper Josh Jeffries into a strong parry behind for a corner.

Instead, the next goal again went Worthing’s way. Just after the half-hour mark a direct pass from Harry Ransom released Dolaghan through the middle. Desbois attempted to intervene but caught the forward inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Jack Spong stepped up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2–0.

The second goal lifted the home side further and they seized complete control before the interval. Five minutes later the ball broke kindly to Jenks on the edge of the area following Tarik Gidaree‘s attempted clearance, and the midfielder struck a precise half-volley into the corner for his second of the afternoon.

Slough barely had time to regroup before conceding again. Coleman De-Graft slipped a clever pass to overlapping full-back George Cox, who surged into the box and opted to shoot from a tight angle, his effort squeezing through Desbois’ legs to make it four before half-time.

Trailing heavily at the break, Slough made changes as they sought to restore some control and pride to the performance. Tarik Gidaree, Tyrique Clarke, Ruben Shakpoke and Harvey Walker were all withdrawn before the hour, with Reiss Greenidge, Brian Nelson, Johnny Goddard and Dan Roth introduced, while academy midfielder Jaye Long later entered the action to make his senior debut.

The second half was far more competitive. Worthing’s urgency understandably dropped with their commanding lead, and Slough began to enjoy longer spells of possession. Makowski again threatened from distance, and the visitors battled strongly to prevent further clear chances at the other end.

Jenks almost completed a hat-trick when he was picked out inside the area but Desbois stood firm to deny him, before Joe Cook failed to convert the rebound.

Slough continued to push for a goal that would reward their second-half improvement. Substitute Goddard was presented with a good opportunity following a defensive error but Jeffries reacted sharply to block at his near post.

The Rebels from Berkshire finally gained a moment of consolation in stoppage time. A loose pass in midfield was intercepted and the ball worked to Makowski on the edge of the area courtesy of Drakes-Thomas’s pass. The striker curled an excellent finish into the top corner, his 17th goal of the season, ensuring Slough would at least leave with a goal following their stalemate with Horsham the previous weekend.

It proved only a late footnote to a game long decided, and the referee’s final whistle confirmed a difficult afternoon for the visitors. The result moves Worthing up to fourth place, while Slough slip to 15th in the Enterprise National League South standings.

There is little time to dwell on the defeat, with attention quickly turning to Tuesday evening’s trip to AFC Totton as the Rebels aim to respond and quickly rediscover the form that had lifted them up the table in recent weeks.