Hemel Hempstead Town
1
Brown (90+4)
Slough Town
1
Togwell (29)
League
Attendance: 615
A last-gasp leveller from Bayley Brown helped Hemel Hempstead Town to a dramatic 1-1 draw against a resilient Rebels side in an enthralling encounter at Vauxhall Road, writes Sam Pryke.
Deep into injury time, a melee broke out in the Slough penalty box, Will Dennis saving an effort before Brown latched onto the loose ball to fire into the net.
It wasn’t a goal that felt inevitable, but the home side were desperately searching for a breakthrough to keep their play-off hopes alive.
On 57 minutes, the pendulum had swung hugely in the Tudors' favour after Slough were reduced to 10 men after Temi Eweka blocked a Reece Grant strike with his hand after Will Dennis was rounded.
The following penalty from Grant was superbly held onto by Dennis, getting low to his right to make a crucial save and preserve the lead.
A confident looking Rebels deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes, courtesy of a set piece.
Matt Lench delivered a trademark corner from the left which Lee Togwell met with a powerful header to give Slough the lead.
On 37, Slough squandered a golden opportunity to add a second on the break.
George Alexander robbed a Hemel defender deep into their half and played Johnny Goddard through on goal, but his effort was tipped around the post by Craig King.
Slough had other chances to double the advantage, Scott Davies stinging the palms of King with a drive from the edge of the box.
After the penalty incident, Slough dug in deep and looked a threat on the counterattack despite the dismissal. Substitute Elliot Benyon was unable to capitalise after finding space inside the Hemel box.
Alexander then latched onto a direct ball from the back with his strike being blocked as it looked destined to test the Tudors stopper.
Big interventions were needed from Dennis, who dealt with an aerial bombardment from all angles to relieve the pressure.
At the other end, Davies was called into defensive action and managed to divert a dangerous looking ball wide when facing his own net.
Despite not holding on for a crucial three points, it was a hard-earned point which ends a run of three consecutive defeats, with a chance to build on this result at home to Chippenham Town on Good Friday.
Deep into injury time, a melee broke out in the Slough penalty box, Will Dennis saving an effort before Brown latched onto the loose ball to fire into the net.
It wasn’t a goal that felt inevitable, but the home side were desperately searching for a breakthrough to keep their play-off hopes alive.
On 57 minutes, the pendulum had swung hugely in the Tudors' favour after Slough were reduced to 10 men after Temi Eweka blocked a Reece Grant strike with his hand after Will Dennis was rounded.
The following penalty from Grant was superbly held onto by Dennis, getting low to his right to make a crucial save and preserve the lead.
A confident looking Rebels deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes, courtesy of a set piece.
Matt Lench delivered a trademark corner from the left which Lee Togwell met with a powerful header to give Slough the lead.
On 37, Slough squandered a golden opportunity to add a second on the break.
George Alexander robbed a Hemel defender deep into their half and played Johnny Goddard through on goal, but his effort was tipped around the post by Craig King.
Slough had other chances to double the advantage, Scott Davies stinging the palms of King with a drive from the edge of the box.
After the penalty incident, Slough dug in deep and looked a threat on the counterattack despite the dismissal. Substitute Elliot Benyon was unable to capitalise after finding space inside the Hemel box.
Alexander then latched onto a direct ball from the back with his strike being blocked as it looked destined to test the Tudors stopper.
Big interventions were needed from Dennis, who dealt with an aerial bombardment from all angles to relieve the pressure.
At the other end, Davies was called into defensive action and managed to divert a dangerous looking ball wide when facing his own net.
Despite not holding on for a crucial three points, it was a hard-earned point which ends a run of three consecutive defeats, with a chance to build on this result at home to Chippenham Town on Good Friday.
Slough Town Lineup
- 21 Will Dennis
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 3 Luca Woodhouse
- 4 Shane Bush
- 5 Joe Dandy 10
- 6 Lee Togwell
- 7 George Alexander 9
- 8 Matthew Lench 16
- 11 Johnny Goddard
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Temi Eweka
Substitutes
- 9 Ogo Obi 7
- 10 Elliot Benyon 5
- 16 Gabriel George 8
- 18 Tyrese Owen
- 19 Imran Kayani
Hemel Hempstead Town Lineup
Craig King, Montel McKenzie, Josh Williams, Kory Roberts (Jeremie Mukendi 72), Josh Hill (c), Kyle Ajayi, George Williams, Dominic Morgan-Griffiths, Reece Grant, Charlee Hughes (Luke Holness 72), Josh Castiglione (Bayley Brown 84). Unused substitutes: Jack Westbrook, Myles Bright.