Slough Town
1
Spasov (pen 60)
Hampton & Richmond
0
League
Attendance: 1583
Henry Ochieng
Slough Town closed out their 2024/25 National League South campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hampton & Richmond at Arbour Park, thanks to a second-half penalty from Slavi Spasov.
In a game that summed up the long, gruelling season for both sides, chances were at a premium, but the Rebels found enough to secure back-to-back wins, following Easter Monday’s success at Chesham United, and finish the campaign in 16th place.
With a couple of changes from the side that triumphed at Chesham, Lewis Miccio came into the starting eleven for the injured John Gilbert, and Scott Davies returned to the side in place of Aaron White, who dropped to the bench. There were also opportunities for some of the club’s exciting young talents, with EDS players Jack Timberlake, Owen Rennie and White all named among the substitutes.
The match itself had a low-key start typical of the final day, with little riding on the result for either side. Early half-chances fell to David Ogbonna, whose deflected shot in the opening minutes forced a corner, and to Spasov, who glanced a header wide from a Miccio cross. Hampton threatened when James Roberts found himself with space on the edge of the box, but a vital challenge from Miccio prevented a clear strike at goal.
There was a moment of panic midway through the half when Charlie Horlock was caught off his line and Roberts tried an audacious lob from just inside his own half — but to the Rebels’ relief, the ball bounced harmlessly over the bar.
Despite a couple of half-chances for Goddard and another for Ogbonna, the game reached half-time goalless, with very little between the sides.
Manager Scott Davies made a change at the break, introducing Jeanmal Prosper for Brian Nelson. The Rebels immediately looked brighter after the restart, with Ogbonna firing a low shot that Merrick could only parry, and Spasov forcing another smart save moments later.
The pressure soon told. On the hour mark, another lively run into the box from Ogbonna was ended when he was brought down by a Hampton defender. Referee Stacey Pearson pointed to the spot without hesitation. Spasov stepped up and confidently tucked the penalty to Merrick’s right, notching his 15th league goal of a productive campaign and giving the Rebels a deserved lead.
Hampton reacted with urgency, and Slough had to stay sharp at the back. A dangerous low cross cannoned off Horlock’s chest before being hacked clear, and Roberts again threatened with some neat footwork around the edge of the box. However, the Rebels largely managed the situation well, looking compact and determined to end the season on a high.
There was a standing ovation on 82 minutes as club stalwart Josh Jackman was substituted for Francis Amartey, having given another tireless performance at full-back on his final appearance for the club. Slough continued to create the better openings, with Goddard seizing on a defensive error to play in Ogbonna, only for the forward to be denied again by Merrick.
Youngster Jack Timberlake was given a taste of first-team action late on and nearly capped it with a goal, rounding Merrick after being played in but finding the angle too tight to convert.
In truth, Slough might have extended their lead in the closing stages, but it mattered little as they closed out the win with minimal fuss. The final whistle marked the end of a long and often testing season, but one which finished with a sense of optimism.
There was a special milestone too for Henry Ochieng, who made his 50th appearance in Rebels colours — a mark of his consistency and importance in midfield this term.
The three points confirmed Slough’s 16th-place finish, just ahead of Hampton & Richmond in 18th, as the Rebels now look ahead to a busy summer of rebuilding and preparation for 2025/26.
In a game that summed up the long, gruelling season for both sides, chances were at a premium, but the Rebels found enough to secure back-to-back wins, following Easter Monday’s success at Chesham United, and finish the campaign in 16th place.
With a couple of changes from the side that triumphed at Chesham, Lewis Miccio came into the starting eleven for the injured John Gilbert, and Scott Davies returned to the side in place of Aaron White, who dropped to the bench. There were also opportunities for some of the club’s exciting young talents, with EDS players Jack Timberlake, Owen Rennie and White all named among the substitutes.
The match itself had a low-key start typical of the final day, with little riding on the result for either side. Early half-chances fell to David Ogbonna, whose deflected shot in the opening minutes forced a corner, and to Spasov, who glanced a header wide from a Miccio cross. Hampton threatened when James Roberts found himself with space on the edge of the box, but a vital challenge from Miccio prevented a clear strike at goal.
There was a moment of panic midway through the half when Charlie Horlock was caught off his line and Roberts tried an audacious lob from just inside his own half — but to the Rebels’ relief, the ball bounced harmlessly over the bar.
Despite a couple of half-chances for Goddard and another for Ogbonna, the game reached half-time goalless, with very little between the sides.
Manager Scott Davies made a change at the break, introducing Jeanmal Prosper for Brian Nelson. The Rebels immediately looked brighter after the restart, with Ogbonna firing a low shot that Merrick could only parry, and Spasov forcing another smart save moments later.
The pressure soon told. On the hour mark, another lively run into the box from Ogbonna was ended when he was brought down by a Hampton defender. Referee Stacey Pearson pointed to the spot without hesitation. Spasov stepped up and confidently tucked the penalty to Merrick’s right, notching his 15th league goal of a productive campaign and giving the Rebels a deserved lead.
Hampton reacted with urgency, and Slough had to stay sharp at the back. A dangerous low cross cannoned off Horlock’s chest before being hacked clear, and Roberts again threatened with some neat footwork around the edge of the box. However, the Rebels largely managed the situation well, looking compact and determined to end the season on a high.
There was a standing ovation on 82 minutes as club stalwart Josh Jackman was substituted for Francis Amartey, having given another tireless performance at full-back on his final appearance for the club. Slough continued to create the better openings, with Goddard seizing on a defensive error to play in Ogbonna, only for the forward to be denied again by Merrick.
Youngster Jack Timberlake was given a taste of first-team action late on and nearly capped it with a goal, rounding Merrick after being played in but finding the angle too tight to convert.
In truth, Slough might have extended their lead in the closing stages, but it mattered little as they closed out the win with minimal fuss. The final whistle marked the end of a long and often testing season, but one which finished with a sense of optimism.
There was a special milestone too for Henry Ochieng, who made his 50th appearance in Rebels colours — a mark of his consistency and importance in midfield this term.
The three points confirmed Slough’s 16th-place finish, just ahead of Hampton & Richmond in 18th, as the Rebels now look ahead to a busy summer of rebuilding and preparation for 2025/26.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman 11
- 3 Lewis Miccio 26
- 4 Edon Pruti
- 9 Slavi Spasov 24
- 13 Brian Nelson 6
- 14 Scott Davies 28
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 16 Dan Roth
- 20 Johnny Goddard
- 23 David Ogbonna
Substitutes
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper 13
- 11 Francis Amartey 2
- 24 Jack Timberlake 9
- 26 Owen Rennie 3
- 28 Aaron White 14
Hampton & Richmond Lineup
Merrick; Jeffcott (Masampu 39), Gardner, Taylor; Williams, Keeya, Hunt (O’Keeffe 87), Crichlow (Siziba 55); Page, Roberts, Jalloh (Allen 82). Sub not used: Babajide.