Shakpoke strike seals Slough’s first points

Slough Town claimed their first points of the National League South season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to AFC Totton, secured by Ruben Shakpoke’s second-half finish at The Snows Stadium.

The Rebels arrived in Hampshire having lost their opening seven league fixtures, but produced a disciplined and determined performance to end that run. Shakpoke’s 55th-minute goal proved decisive, while goalkeeper Stevie Bausor made several important saves – including two outstanding stops in the closing stages – to ensure Slough held on.

It was a particularly significant afternoon for Shakpoke, who returned to the starting XI having recovered from the injury sustained against Folkestone Invicta.

There were two changes to the side that started against Salisbury in midweek, with Shakpoke and Kyrie Pierre coming into the XI.

Slough made the brighter start, with Kyle Brooks testing AFC Totton goalkeeper Ryan Gosney inside the opening minute. His effort was comfortably held, before Shakpoke fired into the side-netting after finding himself under pressure from the hosts' defence.

Totton began to apply pressure of their own, with a loose ball inside the Slough six-yard box deflecting off Balu Makumbi and heading towards goal, although Bausor was able to deal with the danger.

The hosts then enjoyed a spell of pressure, forcing several corners as Slough defended their penalty area resolutely.

The Rebels continued to look dangerous when they regained possession, with Godlove Oppong twice going close. First, the striker weaved between two defenders inside the Totton box before seeing his effort blocked, then he was unable to keep his shot under the crossbar after receiving a headed flick-on from Shakpoke.

Totton threatened at the other end, with Tony Lee holding the ball up well before laying it off to Sol Wanjau-Smith, whose effort from the edge of the area was saved by Bausor.

Lee then saw another attempt blocked following good footwork from Brooks, while further efforts from Brooks and Shay Spencer flew high and wide as Slough remained the more threatening side for a period.

The hosts almost created an opening when Ralph Vigrass and Wanjau-Smith combined, with the latter sending a low ball across the box. Keenan Quansah was able to slice the delivery away before Lee was penalised for a foul on Bausor as the goalkeeper attempted to claim.

The tempo dropped slightly towards the end of the half, with neither side able to find the decisive opening. Joe Morrison tried his luck with an ambitious volley from the edge of the area in the final minute before the interval, but his effort went wide.

The sides went into half time level at 0-0.

Slough started the second half positively, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas driving through the centre before supplying Pierre, whose effort was blocked.

Shakpoke was booked in the 53rd minute for a high foot, but just two minutes later he provided the moment that changed the contest.

Drakes-Thomas won possession from a Totton defender and immediately set Shakpoke away. The forward showed composure inside the area before producing a tidy finish across the face of the six-yard box and into the bottom-left corner of Gosney’s goal.

The Rebels continued to threaten after going ahead, with Shakpoke finding space on the edge of the area in the 64th minute but firing wide.

Both sides then made changes. Totton introduced Reece Fleet for Craig Tanner on the hour mark, while Slough sent Jared Myers on for Pierre two minutes later, marking Myers’ return from injury.

Shakpoke was replaced by Luke Holness in the 65th minute, before Balu Makumbi made way for Chris Regis three minutes later.

Totton responded with the introduction of Ibby Olateju for Wanjau-Smith, and the substitute almost made an immediate impact when he met a free-kick with a volley that narrowly missed the target.

Slough then made another change as Johnny Goddard replaced Oppong, with Holness reverting to a lone striker role.

The hosts were beginning to search more urgently for an equaliser and created a good opportunity when Harry Mills sent a low cross into the area. Olateju got on the end of it, but Bausor produced an excellent save to keep Slough ahead.

The Rebels could have doubled their advantage moments later. Gosney was forced into a superb double save, first denying Goddard from distance before recovering quickly to keep out the follow-up effort from Drakes-Thomas.

Another excellent save followed soon afterwards. Holness met a whipped delivery with a shot that was deflected into the path of Myers, whose effort appeared destined for the corner until Gosney stretched to his left to keep it out.

Totton continued to push, with Vigrass breaking into the box before firing into the side-netting, while Slough replaced Drakes-Thomas with Latrell Humphrey-Ewers in the 80th minute.

Declan Rose replaced Charlie Betts for Totton at the same time, with the hosts increasing the pressure as the final stages approached.

Slough continued to threaten on the counter and forced a succession of corners. Chris Francis saw an effort go behind for another corner in the 86th minute, while Holness was denied by Gosney at close range shortly afterwards.

The hosts came desperately close to an equaliser in stoppage time. Bennett delivered into the box, Olateju knocked the ball down and Lee met it with a shot that Bausor saved well.

There was further drama moments later as Totton launched another attack. Charlie Osborne sent the ball into the box, where Luke Hallett met it with a header. Bausor made the initial save but appeared to lose possession, sparking an almighty scramble on the goal line.

The Slough goalkeeper recovered brilliantly, emerging with the ball to finally end the danger.

Moments later, the final whistle confirmed Slough’s first victory and first points of the 2026/27 National League South campaign.

After seven consecutive defeats to begin the season, the result provides the Rebels with a much-needed lift and a clean sheet on the road.

Slough now face a two-week wait for their next National League South fixture. Their attention turns instead to the Emirates FA Cup, with Chatham Town visiting Arbour Park next Saturday.