Rebels defeated in Wiltshire

Slough Town suffered a seventh consecutive defeat to begin their National League South campaign as Salisbury came from behind to record a 5-1 victory at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

It was the first match in charge for interim management team Johnny Goddard, Ryan Case and Henry Ochieng following the departure of Alan Julian and Donovan Chislett at the weekend, with the Rebels having had little time to prepare for the trip to Wiltshire.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Slough produced an encouraging opening 40 minutes and took the lead through Shay Spencer, but two goals in the closing stages of the first half turned the match in Salisbury's favour. Nathan Odokonyero then completed his hat-trick shortly after half time before Jaiden Bartolo added a fifth from the penalty spot late on.

There were five changes to the Slough starting XI, with Balu Makumbi, Keenan Quansah, Brian Nelson, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas and Godlove Oppong coming into the side. Quansah captained the Rebels, while new signing Kyrie Pierre, who joined the club on the day of the match, was named among the substitutes.

Slough began brightly and created the first opening inside two minutes when Oppong tested Salisbury goalkeeper Will Henry.

The Rebels continued to apply pressure, with Kyle Brooks dragging an effort across the six-yard box and narrowly wide in the sixth minute.

Salisbury gradually began to threaten, however, and Stevie Bausor was called upon to make an important save in the 12th minute, denying former Slough striker Jaiden Bartolo from close range.

Two minutes later, Yacou Traore's curling effort from the edge of the box was palmed behind by Bausor, before Dan Ellison fired over from the resulting corner after Salisbury reacted first to a rebound.

The hosts were enjoying their best spell of the opening period, but it was Slough who struck first in the 25th minute.

Oppong chased down a loose pass back to the Salisbury goalkeeper and managed to reach the ball first, although he was forced wide. The ball eventually came back centrally, where Spencer arrived on the edge of the penalty area and emphatically thumped his finish beyond Henry to put the Rebels ahead.

Salisbury responded with further pressure, but Bausor was again equal to the challenge in the 30th minute, making another good save to deny Caine Bradbury.

Ellison then saw a header from a corner blocked as the hosts continued to search for an equaliser, with Slough defending their lead impressively.

However, Salisbury finally found a way through three minutes before the end of normal time. Ollie Morgan delivered a forceful cross towards the front post and Nathan Odokonyero was on hand to turn the ball home from close range.

Slough looked to respond immediately, with a promising move breaking down inside the Salisbury penalty area before Drakes-Thomas saw a strike comfortably held by Henry.

But the hosts completed their turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time. Bradbury rose to head home and give Salisbury a 2-1 lead at the interval after Slough had been in front for much of the opening period.

Goddard, Case and Ochieng made an early change at the break, with Robbie Gallagher replacing Malachi Ogunleye.

Slough introduced Pierre for Nelson in the 55th minute, giving the new signing his first appearance for the club, but Salisbury extended their advantage just two minutes later when Odokonyero scored his second of the evening.

The forward completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute to put Salisbury 4-1 ahead, with the Whites capitalising on their momentum after the interval.

Salisbury made a further change shortly afterwards, with Mo Dabre replacing Jeremy Sivi, before Luke Russe came on for Bradbury and Richard McIntyre replaced Morgan.

Slough responded with a double change of their own in the 66th minute, as Arthur Gregory and Chris Regis replaced Chris Francis and Goddard.

Bausor continued to keep the score from becoming even more emphatic, producing another strong save in the 71st minute to deny Odokonyero a fourth goal. Moments later, Bartolo slipped Odokonyero through again, but Bausor stood up well to make another save.

Brooking and Luke Holness were introduced for Makumbi and Oppong in the 74th minute, with Holness immediately looking to make an impact and dragging an effort wide two minutes later.

The Rebels were handed an opportunity to reduce the deficit with five minutes of normal time remaining when they were awarded a penalty.

Drakes-Thomas stepped up from the spot, but Henry guessed correctly and saved the midfielder's effort to preserve Salisbury's three-goal advantage.

There was still time for further drama at the other end as Salisbury were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute. Bartolo took responsibility and converted from the spot to make it 5-1.

The final score was harsh on a Slough side which had competed strongly during the opening stages, but Salisbury's clinical second-half display ultimately proved decisive.

Reflecting on the match, Goddard acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the interim team's first fixture while praising the effort shown by the players.

“It's been a whirlwind, to be honest,” he said. “Obviously, as a player you'd never want to see a manager lose their job. But obviously since then the club have asked myself, Ryan and Henry to step in to try and change our fortunes a little bit.”

With no training session available before the match, the interim management team had been forced to prepare as best they could, but Goddard felt there were encouraging signs in the performance despite the scoreline.

“For 40-odd minutes, the effort, application and performance, you couldn't have asked for anything more,” he said. “Do we need to improve? Obviously, yes. Was it perfect? No. But the ingredients of what I believe a Slough team should look like were on the pitch.”

He also highlighted the improvements he had seen in the team's pressing and defensive work.

“For me tonight, what the players have given us, I couldn't have asked for any more,” Goddard added. “For sure, we need to do better and there's things we need to work on.”

The Rebels now have a short turnaround before their next fixture, with one training session scheduled before Saturday's trip to AFC Totton.

Goddard remained positive about the immediate future, saying: “We'll come in, train Thursday and prep for Totton. We'll be positive. Like I said, if we win the game Saturday, it changes the mood, and that's what we'll try and do.”

He also paid tribute to the travelling Slough supporters, who applauded the players at the final whistle despite the heavy defeat.

“The loyalty and the backing that they give the club and the boys throughout my time here has just been unrivalled,” Goddard said. “They make a huge difference to the staff, to the players. We just need to give them something to shout about properly now.”