Depleted Rebels fall to home defeat

Slough Town’s recent momentum came to an end on Tuesday evening as Hampton & Richmond Borough claimed a 3-1 victory at Arbour Park, taking advantage of a depleted Rebels squad in the Enterprise National League South.

The Rebels had entered the fixture in high spirits following back-to-back away wins at Bath City and Hornchurch, results that had lifted Scott Davies’ side to 49 points and strengthened their mid-table position. However, with several first-team players already sidelined and further injuries sustained during the evening, the contest ultimately proved a step too far for a stretched Slough squad.

Davies, celebrating his birthday, made two changes from Saturday’s dramatic win in Essex, bringing Tarik Gidaree and Reiss Greenidge into the side in place of Johnny Goddard and Balu Makumbi. The Rebels’ bench reflected their ongoing injury problems, with five current or former EDS players named among the substitutes.

Slough began brightly and inside four minutes there were early shouts for a penalty waved away as the hosts applied initial pressure. But the visitors quickly settled and took the lead on 10 minutes through Brendan Kiernan.

A high, floated ball initially appeared unlikely to cause problems, but Nana Boateng reacted sharply to head it back into the danger area. Kiernan seized the opportunity, swinging a right foot at the dropping ball and placing his finish beyond Alfie Marriott to give the Beavers the advantage.

Hampton & Richmond continued to threaten and nearly doubled their lead shortly afterwards. A dangerous delivery across the six-yard box was desperately cleared by Kiki Oshilaja, before a frantic scramble saw efforts from David Longe-King and Aaron Lacey somehow kept out amid last-ditch defending.

Slough gradually began to find their footing. Harvey Walker led the counterattack on several occasions, one powerful run ending with a low cross that forced a strong hand from goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst. From the resulting corner Oshilaja twice went close, his second effort drifting over the bar.

Despite those moments, Hampton & Richmond continued to look the more dangerous side for much of the first half. Dan Roth produced a crucial headed clearance off the goal line as the visitors pressed for a second.

The Rebels then suffered another setback midway through the half when Erion Zabeli was forced off with a hamstring injury, Brian Nelson coming on in his place.

Slough finished the half with a brief spell of pressure. Tyrique Clarke delivered a cross that found Ruben Shakpoke, but the striker’s header was straight at Dewhurst. Walker also tested the Hampton goalkeeper before the break, while a series of corners during stoppage time saw Jaiden Drakes-Thomas almost score directly and Dewhurst forced into a sharp save to tip a curling effort over the crossbar.

Hampton made a late first-half substitution with Reece Grego-Cox replacing the injured Ronan Silva, and the visitors carried their momentum into the start of the second period.

Within minutes of the restart Marriott was forced into action, producing an important save before Grego-Cox headed over from a corner. Moments later Lacey struck the crossbar from another set-piece as Hampton again began the half strongly.

However, Slough responded in style on 54 minutes with a superb equaliser. Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Drakes-Thomas curled a magnificent effort into the top corner to bring the Rebels level and ignite hopes of another comeback.

The game opened up following the equaliser. Marriott made a smart save to deny Max Kretzschmar in the 60th minute, but Hampton soon regained their lead.

A corner delivered into the Slough box caused problems and this time Lacey made his earlier chance count, arriving unmarked at the back post to bundle the ball home from close range on 65 minutes.

The Rebels attempted to respond again and continued to create opportunities. Shakpoke drove into the area and forced Dewhurst to parry a dangerous cross, while Drakes-Thomas nearly repeated his earlier heroics with another curling effort that was pushed behind.

Slough then came agonisingly close to equalising when Roth played the ball back across the six-yard area from a corner, only for Oshilaja to see the ball drift just wide. Moments later another point-blank header was diverted wide when it appeared easier to score.

Davies was forced into further changes as the injury problems mounted. Luke Holness replaced the injured Nelson, John Clarke came on for Greenidge, and Jack Timberlake later replaced Drakes-Thomas as the Rebels attempted to chase the game.

Hampton almost extended their lead when Craig Fasanmade’s acrobatic overhead kick struck the crossbar, while the visitors also squandered another opportunity when Eduino Vaz failed to convert from close range after being picked out by Grego-Cox.

The contest was effectively settled in the closing stages. With Slough pushing forward, substitute Jaye Long – another EDS player introduced late on – conceded a penalty after bringing down Harry Gardner inside the area.

Grego-Cox stepped up from the spot and although his effort struck the inside of the post, the rebound cannoned off Marriott and into the net to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

Five minutes of added time followed, but Slough could not find a way back as Hampton secured an important victory that moves them 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

For the Rebels, it was a disappointing night amid a demanding run of fixtures. Having collected an impressive 30 points from 15 matches since Christmas, the defeat leaves Slough still 15th in the table but facing fresh selection concerns ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Salisbury after three more injuries were sustained during the evening.

With the squad already stretched, Davies will be hoping for positive news on the injury front as the Rebels look to bounce back at Arbour Park this weekend.