Eastbourne Borough
1
Aderoju (61)
Slough Town
1
Drakes-Thomas (55)
League
Attendance: 1046
Slough Town completed a rewarding Bank Holiday weekend with a 1-1 draw away at Eastbourne Borough, backing up Saturday’s impressive win over Ebbsfleet United with another battling display.
The Rebels came close to taking all three points at Priory Lane, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after the hosts responded quickly to Jaiden Drakes-Thomas’ second-half strike.
The result lifts Scott Davies’ side up to 16th in the National League South table after a challenging start to the season. It was also a satisfying outcome against another full-time opponent.
The visitors made four changes to their starting line-up from the team which beat Ebbsfleet, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Jordan Greenidge, Johnny Goddard and new signing Wiktor Makowski all coming into the XI. Makowski, in particular, drew attention as he made his first competitive appearance for the club following his summer arrival.
Eastbourne began with plenty of energy, forcing the Rebels into some defensive work in the opening minutes. However, Slough soon carved out the first clear opportunity of the afternoon. On 11 minutes, Tarik Gidaree surged forward through midfield and released Jordan Greenidge down the left. Greenidge showed great awareness to backheel the ball perfectly into Makowski’s path, but the debutant’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ryan Sandford. The rebound fell kindly, but Dan Quick produced a superb tackle to prevent Makowski finishing at the second attempt. It was a flowing move that deserved more, and it set the tone for Slough’s willingness to push forward when opportunities arose.
Eastbourne created their first opening soon afterwards, with Isaac Pitblado’s cross only half-cleared, allowing Pemi Aderoju to volley goalwards. Adam Desbois flung himself low to make a sharp stop. On 28 minutes Jesurun Uchegbulam tried his luck from the left, his angled drive well held by the Slough goalkeeper.
As the half wore on, Eastbourne looked the more assertive, but Slough almost snatched the lead five minutes before the break. Johnny Goddard stepped up to a free-kick from around 20 yards and rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike. With Sandford stranded, the loose ball fell to Tyrique Clarke, but Harvey Lintott reacted superbly to clear from inside the six-yard box.
The first half ended goalless, but both teams had reasons to feel encouraged. Eastbourne had enjoyed more territory, while Slough carried a threat on the counter and came agonisingly close through Goddard.
Scott Davies made an enforced half-time substitution, introducing Peter Ojemen in place of Reiss Greenidge, and the Rebels began the second period brightly. On 53 minutes, Makowski again showed his ability to link up play, combining neatly with Goddard before flashing the ball across the six-yard area. Unfortunately for the visitors, no one was there to apply the finishing touch.
Two minutes later, Slough found their breakthrough. Makowski was again at the heart of the move, carrying the ball forward before feeding Drakes-Thomas inside the penalty area. The midfielder displayed excellent composure, skipping past two defenders before firing a shot beyond Sandford to put the Rebels in front.
The lead lasted just six minutes, as Eastbourne levelled from a set piece. Pitblado delivered a dangerous corner to the far post, where Aderoju managed to get goal-side of his marker and volley past Desbois from close range. It was a disappointing goal for Slough to concede, undoing their hard work so soon after taking the lead.
The equaliser galvanised the home side, who piled on pressure during a frantic spell around the hour mark. Carter’s header from another corner was brilliantly saved on the line by Desbois, before Sagaf’s free-kick was tipped away by the goalkeeper.
Slough responded by introducing fresh legs. Brian Nelson and Jared Myers replaced Clarke and Drakes-Thomas, followed later by Josh Adepoju and Davies himself, as the Rebels sought to regain a foothold.
Eastbourne continued to push, with Uchegbulam and Grout both forcing further saves from Desbois. Yet despite the territory and pressure, Slough defended resolutely and looked increasingly comfortable soaking up the home side’s attacks. In fact, the Rebels almost stole it late on, with Makowski again involved in a dangerous move before being substituted to a warm reception from the travelling fans.
The closing minutes saw more pressure from the hosts, but Slough’s back line — marshalled by Oshilaja and Ojemen — stood firm, with Desbois again reliable when called upon. In the end, both teams had to settle for a point, which on the balance of play was a fair outcome.
The Rebels will now look to build on this foundation as they head into back-to-back home fixtures with renewed belief and momentum.
The Rebels came close to taking all three points at Priory Lane, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after the hosts responded quickly to Jaiden Drakes-Thomas’ second-half strike.
The result lifts Scott Davies’ side up to 16th in the National League South table after a challenging start to the season. It was also a satisfying outcome against another full-time opponent.
The visitors made four changes to their starting line-up from the team which beat Ebbsfleet, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Jordan Greenidge, Johnny Goddard and new signing Wiktor Makowski all coming into the XI. Makowski, in particular, drew attention as he made his first competitive appearance for the club following his summer arrival.
Eastbourne began with plenty of energy, forcing the Rebels into some defensive work in the opening minutes. However, Slough soon carved out the first clear opportunity of the afternoon. On 11 minutes, Tarik Gidaree surged forward through midfield and released Jordan Greenidge down the left. Greenidge showed great awareness to backheel the ball perfectly into Makowski’s path, but the debutant’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ryan Sandford. The rebound fell kindly, but Dan Quick produced a superb tackle to prevent Makowski finishing at the second attempt. It was a flowing move that deserved more, and it set the tone for Slough’s willingness to push forward when opportunities arose.
Eastbourne created their first opening soon afterwards, with Isaac Pitblado’s cross only half-cleared, allowing Pemi Aderoju to volley goalwards. Adam Desbois flung himself low to make a sharp stop. On 28 minutes Jesurun Uchegbulam tried his luck from the left, his angled drive well held by the Slough goalkeeper.
As the half wore on, Eastbourne looked the more assertive, but Slough almost snatched the lead five minutes before the break. Johnny Goddard stepped up to a free-kick from around 20 yards and rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike. With Sandford stranded, the loose ball fell to Tyrique Clarke, but Harvey Lintott reacted superbly to clear from inside the six-yard box.
The first half ended goalless, but both teams had reasons to feel encouraged. Eastbourne had enjoyed more territory, while Slough carried a threat on the counter and came agonisingly close through Goddard.
Scott Davies made an enforced half-time substitution, introducing Peter Ojemen in place of Reiss Greenidge, and the Rebels began the second period brightly. On 53 minutes, Makowski again showed his ability to link up play, combining neatly with Goddard before flashing the ball across the six-yard area. Unfortunately for the visitors, no one was there to apply the finishing touch.
Two minutes later, Slough found their breakthrough. Makowski was again at the heart of the move, carrying the ball forward before feeding Drakes-Thomas inside the penalty area. The midfielder displayed excellent composure, skipping past two defenders before firing a shot beyond Sandford to put the Rebels in front.
The lead lasted just six minutes, as Eastbourne levelled from a set piece. Pitblado delivered a dangerous corner to the far post, where Aderoju managed to get goal-side of his marker and volley past Desbois from close range. It was a disappointing goal for Slough to concede, undoing their hard work so soon after taking the lead.
The equaliser galvanised the home side, who piled on pressure during a frantic spell around the hour mark. Carter’s header from another corner was brilliantly saved on the line by Desbois, before Sagaf’s free-kick was tipped away by the goalkeeper.
Slough responded by introducing fresh legs. Brian Nelson and Jared Myers replaced Clarke and Drakes-Thomas, followed later by Josh Adepoju and Davies himself, as the Rebels sought to regain a foothold.
Eastbourne continued to push, with Uchegbulam and Grout both forcing further saves from Desbois. Yet despite the territory and pressure, Slough defended resolutely and looked increasingly comfortable soaking up the home side’s attacks. In fact, the Rebels almost stole it late on, with Makowski again involved in a dangerous move before being substituted to a warm reception from the travelling fans.
The closing minutes saw more pressure from the hosts, but Slough’s back line — marshalled by Oshilaja and Ojemen — stood firm, with Desbois again reliable when called upon. In the end, both teams had to settle for a point, which on the balance of play was a fair outcome.
The Rebels will now look to build on this foundation as they head into back-to-back home fixtures with renewed belief and momentum.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Adam Desbois
- 2 Tarik Gidaree
- 4 Henry Ochieng
- 5 Kiki Oshilaja
- 6 Reiss Greenidge 3
- 7 Tyrique Clarke 23
- 8 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas 15
- 9 Jordan Greenidge
- 10 Johnny Goddard 14
- 11 Wiktor Makowski 26
- 16 Dan Roth
Substitutes
- 3 Peter Ojemen 6
- 14 Scott Davies 10
- 15 Brian Nelson 8
- 21 Kit Elliott
- 23 Jared Myers 7
- 26 Josh Adepoju 11
- 27 Ruben Bartlett-Antwi
Eastbourne Borough Lineup
Ryan Sandford, Dan Quick (c), Isaac Pitblado, Joey Phuthi (Imani Lanquedoc 36), Mo Sagaf, Pemi Aderoju, Freddie Carter, Arthur Grout (Joshua Anifowose 77), Jesurun Uchegbulam (Victor Akinwale 82, Craig Eastmond 87), Harvey Lintott, Tayt Trusty. Subs not used: Jamie Searle, Camron Gbadebo, Ola Ademola.