Rebels suffer narrow defeat after early red card

Slough Town suffered a second successive defeat in the National League South as Horsham came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Arbour Park, with the Rebels once again forced to play the majority of the match with ten men.

Ruben Shakpoke put Slough ahead inside six minutes on his return from injury, but Shay Spencer’s dismissal in the 35th minute changed the complexion of the contest. Horsham equalised in first-half stoppage time through Ryan Bartley before Greg Luer’s superb strike put the visitors ahead shortly after the restart.

The Rebels continued to compete despite their numerical disadvantage but could not find a way back into the contest, leaving them still at the foot of the National League South table with four points.

The defeat came after last Saturday’s loss at Torquay United, where Slough were also reduced to ten men for the entire second half. There were, however, four changes to the starting XI for the visit of Horsham, with Shakpoke and Jordan Thomas returning from injury alongside Johnny Goddard and Latrell Humphrey-Ewers.

Slough started brightly and took the lead after just six minutes.

A good move saw Elijah Oladunjoye deliver a low ball into the box, and Shakpoke got on the end of it to finish and mark his return to action with an early goal.

The Rebels continued to apply pressure and looked dangerous going forward, although Horsham had an opportunity to respond when Jamie Yila worked his way down the right before seeing his cross claimed by Killian Barrett.

Horsham then came close again as a dangerous cross from Jamie Meekums found Charlie Hester-Cook, who could not make a clean connection, before Hammond followed up with a header that Barrett dealt with firmly.

Slough continued to threaten at the other end. Kyle Brooks released Jordan Thomas down the right, with his low ball across the box narrowly evading several players, before Johnny Goddard saw an effort go over the bar after Slough had worked an opening.

The Rebels were enjoying a strong spell and another Oladunjoye long throw caused problems in the Horsham box, although the loose ball could not be turned home.

Latrell Humphrey-Ewers then tested Horsham goalkeeper Sam Howes with a low effort after Barrett’s long kick had been nodded on by Shakpoke.

However, the match had already developed a physical edge and Slough were reduced to ten men in the 35th minute.

Following a tussle between Spencer and Hester-Cook in midfield, Spencer was shown a straight red card, while Hester-Cook only received a yellow card.

The dismissal meant Slough had to play the final hour with a numerical disadvantage, but the Rebels continued to compete and went close to adding to their lead before half time.

Horsham almost levelled when Hammond’s cross found Bartley at the back post, although the defender slipped as he attempted to finish.

Then, with what proved to be the final chance of the half, Horsham drew level.

A free kick from the left was delivered into the Slough box by Hammond and Bartley was adjudged to have got the slightest of touches to send the ball past Barrett and make it 1-1.

Johnny Goddard acknowledged afterwards that Slough’s performance had been difficult to assess without considering the impact of the red card.

“I thought before the red card we were very good,” Goddard said. “I think probably an intensity that we've not seen enough at home.”

He added: “My only regret is that we didn't get a second goal. We've put balls across the face of the box. We've had numerous corners, free kicks, throw-ins. I felt like we were a threat.”

Horsham made a change at the interval, with Greg Luer replacing Hester-Cook – who was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card at the end of the first half – and the visitors began the second half positively.


Slough had an opportunity to restore their lead when another Oladunjoye throw was worked back out to the defender, whose low cross found Joe Morrison, but the centre-back lifted his effort over the bar.

Horsham then saw a header from Yila blocked on the line from a corner, before Yila struck the top of the crossbar moments later after cutting in from the right.

Slough made their first substitution in the 54th minute, with Balu Makumbi replacing Jordan Thomas.

But two minutes later, Horsham took the lead.

Luer collected a ball forward, cut inside past Makumbi and unleashed a powerful strike that flew beyond Barrett and into the top corner.

Slough continued to work hard in search of an equaliser, with Shakpoke making a driving run that resulted in a free kick. Goddard’s subsequent effort was blocked by the wall, while Terell Thomas fired wide shortly afterwards.

With Horsham now having both a goal and a man advantage, the visitors were able to control more of the game, although Slough continued to look for opportunities to break forward.

Goddard was replaced by Jaiden Drakes-Thomas in the 71st minute, while Horsham made changes of their own as Nadesan replaced Yila.

Luer then headed over from a Nadesan cross as Horsham looked to extend their advantage.

Slough made two further changes in the closing stages, with Jamie Odegah replacing Saikou Janneh in the 79th minute before Jared Myers and Luke Holness came on for Kyle Brooks and Shakpoke five minutes later.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Rebels continued to push. An Oladunjoye throw eventually came back to the defender, whose cross found Terell Thomas, but his header went over the bar.

Three minutes of added time were indicated, but Slough could not create one final clear opening as Horsham held on for the points.

Goddard felt the Rebels had done enough to remain in contention despite being down to ten men.

“I thought we limited them. We stayed in the game. The boys hung in there. They worked their socks off,” he said. “It allowed us to have five, 10 minutes at the end where we could push to get something out of the game.”

The result leaves Slough with four points from their opening league fixtures and at the foot of the table, while Horsham's first league win since August moves them up to 15th.

For Goddard, the priority is now to ensure the Rebels do not allow another difficult result to affect their confidence, particularly after two consecutive matches in which they have had a player sent off.

“We can't have a victim mentality,” he said. “We need to tidy up, have 11 players on the pitch because I think if we did today, we'd probably have got something out of the game.”

The Rebels will have the opportunity to respond next Saturday when Dorking Wanderers visit Arbour Park.

Goddard believes the squad is now beginning to take shape, with players returning from injury and new additions getting up to speed.

“I looked at the dressing room today and thought we had a strong side out on the pitch. We had a strong bench and we had boys that weren't even in the squad,” he said.

“We've got a good side if we can just tweak a few things and probably just turn a corner. We need to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

He added: “The boys have got to keep believing, stick together and just keep working hard.”