Rebels knocked out on penalties by Aylesbury

Slough Town were knocked out of the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup at the Second Round stage after Southern League Division One Central side Aylesbury United held the Rebels to a goalless draw before winning 4-1 on penalties at Arbour Park.

The Rebels dominated much of the contest and created several opportunities to settle the tie during 90 minutes, with Aylesbury goalkeeper Jack Hopwood producing a number of important saves. Slough were also denied by the woodwork, but could not find the decisive breakthrough before the match went straight to a penalty shootout.

The meeting was the first between the sides since February 2014, when Slough recorded a 5-3 victory at Holloways Park.

There were debuts for new signings Jamie Odegah and Elijah Oladunjoye, with both included in the starting XI.

Leicester City loanee Stevie Bausor was unavailable through injury, meaning Matthew Pullinger deputised in goal, stepping up from the Rebels' EDS side.

Slough made a bright start and had their first major opening after 11 minutes when Oladunjoye broke into the penalty area, but his effort struck the side-netting.

The Rebels continued to apply pressure and went close again six minutes later. A short corner from Johnny Goddard found Kyle Brooks on the edge of the box, with the midfielder's low drive requiring a save from Hopwood.

The Aylesbury goalkeeper was becoming increasingly influential and produced another good intervention in the 23rd minute, closing down Godlove Oppong and parrying his strike behind.

Jared Myers was also proving a constant threat, driving forward from midfield and attempting an effort from distance which went wide before being booked in the 40th minute.

Slough had another opportunity shortly before half time when Myers arrived at the back post, but could not get his effort underneath Hopwood.

The Rebels continued on the front foot after the interval, with another Oladunjoye long throw causing a moment of danger before Hopwood comfortably gathered the ball.

Then came the best chance of the match so far.

In the 58th minute, Keenan Quansah met a cross with a close-range header which looked destined for the net, only for Hopwood to produce an outstanding save to push the ball against the crossbar.

Slough made a double substitution three minutes later, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas and Latrell Humphrey-Ewers replacing Kyle Brooks and Dennis Adeniran.

A further triple change followed in the 65th minute as new signing Odegah came on for his debut alongside Chris Francis and Joshua Adepoju, with Saikou Janneh, Godlove Oppong and Balu Makumbi making way.

The changes briefly opened the game up at both ends. Aylesbury created one of their best chances immediately afterwards when Rocko Tamplin struck a half-volley towards goal, forcing Pullinger into an acrobatic save.

Adepoju was booked in the 70th minute as the Rebels continued to search for a way through.

Slough continued to put balls into the Aylesbury penalty area and came close again with eight minutes remaining. Drakes-Thomas had two strikes in quick succession, with the second requiring a defender to clear the ball off the line.

Two minutes later, Adepoju met a cross at the back post but could only head against the woodwork.

The visitors survived further pressure during the closing stages and, with neither side able to find a winner, the tie went straight to penalties.

Aylesbury took the initiative in the shootout, while Goddard struck the crossbar with Slough's first attempt.

The visitors doubled their advantage before Humphrey-Ewers converted for the Rebels, but Aylesbury scored their third and then saw Adepoju's penalty saved low to Hopwood's right.

The visitors converted their fourth penalty to seal a 4-1 shootout victory and send Slough out of the competition.

For the Rebels, it was a frustrating night after creating enough opportunities to win the tie during normal time, but Hopwood's performance and Aylesbury's resilience kept the score level before the visitors held their nerve from the spot.