Slough started strong under the lights at Arbour Park, immediately setting the pace. In just the second minute, their left winger, Amartey, got past Josh Brooking and squared the ball across the box, where an unfortunate deflection off of Wanderers’ Rob Milsom put the hosts ahead. 1-0

Our first shot on target came shortly after, as Jack Young released a firm strike from the edge of the area, which Horlock managed to gather in goal.

Slough soon threatened again when striker Spasov rounded Harrison Foulkes and shot toward an open net. What looked like a sure goal was denied by a brilliant goal-line block from captain Tony Craig.

The Rebels kept up the pressure, and moments later, their winger Ogbonna bypassed Rob Milsom on the break and fired a curling effort from the edge of the box that left Foulkes with no chance. 2-0

Play evened out in the next phase, with both sides pressing but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Our best opportunity came as Jimmy Muitt beat his marker down the touchline, drove forward, and fired just wide of Horlock’s far post.

Then, Tony Craig delivered a superb ball over the top to Alfie Rutherford, who controlled it with a touch before blasting it into the bottom corner, cutting the deficit in half. This marked Alfie’s sixth goal of the season. 2-1

Half Time: Slough Town 2-1 Dorking Wanderers

Wanderers’ manager Marc White made his first substitution at halftime, bringing on new loanee Will Randall in place of Jordan Norville-Williams.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half passed without much action. Foulkes comfortably handled a long-range shot before Dan Gallagher was swapped for George Francomb.

The Rebels created a solid chance when a cross found Spasov in space inside the penalty box, but his powerful header narrowly missed the target. Shortly after, our third substitution saw Matt Briggs take over from Jimmy Muitt on the right wing.

As the hosts intensified their pressure, Foulkes was caught with the ball at his feet, leading to a turnover that found Chambers-Parillon, who curled a shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-1

We responded instantly: Milsom’s well-struck free kick from the right side of Slough’s box found George Francomb, whose looping header beat the goalkeeper, bringing us back within one. 3-2

Our final substitutions followed soon after, with Mason Myles and Bobby Joe-Taylor coming on for Theo Alexandrou and Rob Milsom.

A misplaced pass from Francomb almost led to an own goal, but Foulkes scrambled back just in time to tap it out for a corner. Foulkes then claimed the resulting corner and quickly launched a counterattack, though it came to nothing. Moments later, Josh Brooking committed a foul on the edge of the area, earning a second yellow card and his marching orders. The resulting free kick was deflected over for a corner.

Although it wasn’t the result we hoped for, the lads gave a solid effort, fuelled by the incredible support of our traveling fans.

Full Time: Slough Town 3-2 Dorking Wanderers