Rebels defeated by Seasiders at Arbour Park

Slough Town remain without a point from their opening four National League South matches after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Folkestone Invicta at Arbour Park.

The Rebels struggled to create clear opportunities throughout a wet and windy afternoon, with Alejandro Machado’s free-kick and Donell Thomas’ first-half finish giving the unbeaten visitors a two-goal advantage at half time.

Despite making a number of changes after the interval and applying late pressure, Slough did not properly test Folkestone goalkeeper Ted Collins until stoppage time, when Kyle Brooks’ volley was saved, as the visitors comfortably protected their lead.

The result leaves Slough second bottom of the early National League South table, while Folkestone moved up to fifth after extending their unbeaten start to the season.

It was also ten years to the day since Slough played their first match at Arbour Park, beating Hayes & Yeading United 2-1 on a hot afternoon in August 2016. There was to be no anniversary celebration this time, however, as heavy rain and swirling wind accompanied a frustrating afternoon for the Rebels.

There were six changes to the Slough starting XI, with Michael Edegbe deputising for the injured Josh McNamara in goal, while Keenan Quansah, Balu Makumbi, Brian Nelson, Luke Holness and Godlove Oppong also came into the side. Jared Myers was unavailable after picking up an injury in last weekend’s defeat at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The conditions made for a scrappy opening, with both sides attempting to deal with the swirling wind and bouts of heavy rain. Slough’s first promising spell of possession eventually saw a through ball played towards Chris Francis, but the pass was unable to find its intended target.

Folkestone took the lead midway through the first half from a free-kick.

Lovatt was challenged right on the edge of the penalty area, with the foul appearing to take place extremely close to, if not inside, the box. The decision was a free-kick, though, and Machado made no mistake from the set-piece, striking the ball through the wall and beyond Edegbe to put the visitors ahead after 21 minutes.

Folkestone then came close to adding a second when Aaron Cosgrave went down in the area after appearing to be pulled back while through on goal, but the referee waved away the visitors’ appeals.

Slough struggled to establish a sustained attacking threat, while Folkestone looked increasingly comfortable with their advantage.

The Seasiders doubled their lead six minutes before half time. Ben Mason was afforded space on the right and delivered a low cross into the area, with the ball ricocheting into the path of Donell Thomas, who finished from close range to make it 2-0.

Slough therefore faced a significant task after the break, with Alan Julian making a double change at half time as Chris Regis and Ruben Shakpoke replaced Quansah and Oppong.

The changes did not immediately alter the pattern of the match, however, as Folkestone threatened a third.

Edegbe produced an excellent save seven minutes into the second half, getting down well at his near post to deny Joe Pigott after good work from the visitors down the right.

Machado then came within inches of extending Folkestone’s advantage. The opening goalscorer beat a defender before sending a low effort against the inside of the post, with the ball bouncing back out into the penalty area.

Moments later, Machado was again involved as he met a corner with a volley which flew just over the crossbar.

Slough made a further change shortly afterwards, with Latrell Humphrey-Ewers replacing Nelson, before Johnny Goddard was introduced for Holness on 65 minutes.

The Rebels were still unable to find a way through a well-organised Folkestone defence, while the visitors continued to threaten on the counter.

Play was halted for several minutes when Shakpoke required treatment following a challenge involving the Folkestone goalkeeper. The midfielder was unable to continue and was eventually replaced by Louis Walsh in the 75th minute, adding another injury concern to a difficult afternoon for Slough.

Folkestone also made changes as they looked to see out the result, with Devonte West and Alex Woodyard replacing Thomas and Pigott, before Harvey Kedwell came on for Machado.

Preston Kedwell was introduced for Cosgrave in the 89th minute to make his debut for Folkestone, with the visitors then having to negotiate a minimum of seven minutes of stoppage time.

It was during those final minutes that Slough finally began to threaten the Folkestone goal with greater urgency.

Brooks produced the Rebels’ best effort of the afternoon when he met the ball with a volley in stoppage time, forcing Collins into a diving save.

Slough continued to throw players forward as the clock ticked towards the final whistle, but Folkestone remained resolute and saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 2-0 victory.

The defeat means Slough are still searching for their first points of the season after four matches.

The Rebels will have little time to dwell on the result, with another fixture immediately ahead as they travel to Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday afternoon.