Slough Town
3
Bartlett-Antwi (29), Makowski (69), Drakes-Thomas (90+2)
Enfield Town
2
Knight (1), Hawkins (45+1)
FA Cup
Attendance: 1207
Wiktor Makowski
Slough Town produced a dramatic late comeback at Arbour Park to reach the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup, as Jaiden Drakes-Thomas struck deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over National League South rivals Enfield Town.
In front of a season-high crowd of 1,207, the Rebels showed tremendous character to overturn a half-time deficit and keep their cup run alive. This contest between two evenly matched league opponents provided an afternoon of high drama, quality and resilience.
The game could hardly have begun worse for Slough. Inside the opening 40 seconds, Avan Jones delivered a deep cross from the right and Ollie Knight ghosted in unmarked to glance a header past Oliver Webber. The visitors almost doubled their lead soon after when Lamar Reynolds clipped the outside of the post, as Slough struggled to settle against Enfield’s early intensity.
Gradually, the Rebels began to find their rhythm. Captain Henry Ochieng tested Rhys Forster with a curling strike from distance, and Wiktor Makowski’s movement in attack started to trouble the Towners’ back line. The equaliser arrived on 29 minutes and was thoroughly deserved. Makowski was played through one-on-one with Forster, and though the keeper made a fine save to block his first effort, Johnny Goddard’s follow-up struck the bar and rebounded kindly for Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, who nodded in from close range to restore parity.
However, the hosts’ joy was tempered before the break by a double setback. Ochieng, who had earlier received treatment for a knock, was forced off injured and replaced by Brian Nelson. Moments later, Bartlett-Antwi also had to depart after another challenge, with Jared Myers coming on in his place. Enfield took full advantage of the disruption, regaining the lead in first-half stoppage time when centre-back Henry Hawkins rose highest at the back post to head home from a corner, sending the visitors into the interval 2-1 ahead.
Slough emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and quickly began to impose themselves. Goddard dragged a shot narrowly wide, while Davies went close with a long-range shot that Forster had to watch carefully. Much of the play became scrappy as both sides battled for control, but Slough’s persistence and belief were rewarded midway through the half.
Makowski, whose tireless work rate typified the Rebels’ spirit, pressed an Enfield defender near the byline, dispossessed him, and powered towards goal before firing a low finish inside Forster’s near post. The equaliser sparked scenes of relief among the home supporters and shifted the momentum firmly in Slough’s favour.
Enfield remained dangerous on the counter and were inches away from regaining the lead when a fierce effort cannoned off the post and was scrambled clear by the combined efforts of Scott Davies and Tarik Gidaree — the latter once again outstanding at right-back and named the sponsor’s Star Man.
With time ticking away, both sides searched for a winner. Nelson went close from distance before Myers forced a strong save from Forster in the first minute of added time. Then, as the match entered its dying moments, Arbour Park erupted.
Fine play down the left from Johnny Goddard saw the midfielder glide past his marker before cutting the ball inside to Drakes-Thomas. The young midfielder showed composure beyond his years to take a touch, find space in a crowded box, and drive a low shot into the bottom corner to win it for Slough in the second minute of stoppage time.
The goal capped a superb comeback and a performance full of determination from a side still managing injuries to key players. With Ochieng and Bartlett-Antwi both forced off in the first half, the Rebels’ depth was again tested, but the substitutes rose to the occasion.
At full time, scenes of jubilation greeted the final whistle as Slough progressed to the First Round Proper for the second time in three seasons. Manager Scott Davies and his squad were warmly applauded from all sides of Arbour Park after another memorable FA Cup afternoon.
This was a performance that embodied the growing confidence and belief within the squad — resilience, patience and quality at decisive moments, epitomised by Drakes-Thomas’ late heroics. The Rebels march on, and the focus now turns to Monday’s First Round draw, and a potential tie against EFL opposition.
In front of a season-high crowd of 1,207, the Rebels showed tremendous character to overturn a half-time deficit and keep their cup run alive. This contest between two evenly matched league opponents provided an afternoon of high drama, quality and resilience.
The game could hardly have begun worse for Slough. Inside the opening 40 seconds, Avan Jones delivered a deep cross from the right and Ollie Knight ghosted in unmarked to glance a header past Oliver Webber. The visitors almost doubled their lead soon after when Lamar Reynolds clipped the outside of the post, as Slough struggled to settle against Enfield’s early intensity.
Gradually, the Rebels began to find their rhythm. Captain Henry Ochieng tested Rhys Forster with a curling strike from distance, and Wiktor Makowski’s movement in attack started to trouble the Towners’ back line. The equaliser arrived on 29 minutes and was thoroughly deserved. Makowski was played through one-on-one with Forster, and though the keeper made a fine save to block his first effort, Johnny Goddard’s follow-up struck the bar and rebounded kindly for Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, who nodded in from close range to restore parity.
However, the hosts’ joy was tempered before the break by a double setback. Ochieng, who had earlier received treatment for a knock, was forced off injured and replaced by Brian Nelson. Moments later, Bartlett-Antwi also had to depart after another challenge, with Jared Myers coming on in his place. Enfield took full advantage of the disruption, regaining the lead in first-half stoppage time when centre-back Henry Hawkins rose highest at the back post to head home from a corner, sending the visitors into the interval 2-1 ahead.
Slough emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and quickly began to impose themselves. Goddard dragged a shot narrowly wide, while Davies went close with a long-range shot that Forster had to watch carefully. Much of the play became scrappy as both sides battled for control, but Slough’s persistence and belief were rewarded midway through the half.
Makowski, whose tireless work rate typified the Rebels’ spirit, pressed an Enfield defender near the byline, dispossessed him, and powered towards goal before firing a low finish inside Forster’s near post. The equaliser sparked scenes of relief among the home supporters and shifted the momentum firmly in Slough’s favour.
Enfield remained dangerous on the counter and were inches away from regaining the lead when a fierce effort cannoned off the post and was scrambled clear by the combined efforts of Scott Davies and Tarik Gidaree — the latter once again outstanding at right-back and named the sponsor’s Star Man.
With time ticking away, both sides searched for a winner. Nelson went close from distance before Myers forced a strong save from Forster in the first minute of added time. Then, as the match entered its dying moments, Arbour Park erupted.
Fine play down the left from Johnny Goddard saw the midfielder glide past his marker before cutting the ball inside to Drakes-Thomas. The young midfielder showed composure beyond his years to take a touch, find space in a crowded box, and drive a low shot into the bottom corner to win it for Slough in the second minute of stoppage time.
The goal capped a superb comeback and a performance full of determination from a side still managing injuries to key players. With Ochieng and Bartlett-Antwi both forced off in the first half, the Rebels’ depth was again tested, but the substitutes rose to the occasion.
At full time, scenes of jubilation greeted the final whistle as Slough progressed to the First Round Proper for the second time in three seasons. Manager Scott Davies and his squad were warmly applauded from all sides of Arbour Park after another memorable FA Cup afternoon.
This was a performance that embodied the growing confidence and belief within the squad — resilience, patience and quality at decisive moments, epitomised by Drakes-Thomas’ late heroics. The Rebels march on, and the focus now turns to Monday’s First Round draw, and a potential tie against EFL opposition.
Slough Town Lineup
- 13 Oliver Webber
- 2 Tarik Gidaree
- 4 Henry Ochieng 15
- 7 Tyrique Clarke
- 10 Johnny Goddard
- 11 Wiktor Makowski
- 14 Scott Davies
- 16 Dan Roth
- 19 Ruben Bartlett-Antwi 23
- 20 Balu Makumbi
- 26 Josh Adepoju 8
Substitutes
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 26
- 15 Brian Nelson 4
- 17 Henry Upstell
- 18 Nnaemeka Anyanwu
- 23 Jared Myers 19
- 25 Bryce Gough
- 27 Kian Berry
Enfield Town Lineup
Rhys Forster, Sashiel Adom-Maliki, Henry Hawkins, Adam Thompson, Xavier Benjamin, Avan Jones (Jack Bates 87), T’Sharne Gallimore (Tommy Wood 90+3), Hayden Bullas, Oliver Knight (Bayley Brown 83), Sam Youngs, Lamar Reynolds (Harry Lodovica 75). Subs not used: Ruaridh Donaldson, Adi Connolly.