Full time: Slough Town 2-1 Chelmsford City
Slough Town extended their unbeaten run at Arbour Park to 24-games on Saturday afternoon, consigning Chelmsford City to defeat in Berkshire on the opening day of the 2024-25 National League South season.
Robbie Simpson’s Clarets begun the game brightly and were rewarded with an early lead for their positive start when Ryan Blackman’s 7th minute corner found its way into the back of the Rebels’ net. City continued to take the game to Scott Davies’ side throughout the first half, and had it not been for the woodwork and some excellent saves made by Slough Town goalkeeper Charlie Horlock, the Clarets would have gone into half time ahead by more than just one goal.
In the second period, the hosts stepped up and controlled the proceedings. A quickfire brace from forward Slavi Spasov then put the Rebels into the lead with 20-minutes to go, and in the closing stages of the game Davies’ men defended resolutely to prevent the Clarets from finding a late equaliser.
Robbie Simpson’s starting XI at Arbour Park featured eight players making their first National League South appearances in a City shirt, including defender Ike Orji, whose move to Melbourne Community Stadium was confirmed earlier this week.
Charlie Ruff and Freddie Hockey led the line for the Clarets in the early stages of the game in Berkshire; the attacking duo combined well in the 6th minute when Ruff played a ball in-behind the Slough Town defence to Hockey, who got a shot away which Horlock saved and put behind for a corner kick.
From the resulting set-piece, midfielder Ryan Blackman stepped up and scored. The midfielder’s delivery towards the near-post alluded both his own teammates and the defending Slough Town players, going over the line before goalkeeper Horlock could try to punch the ball away.
After taking the lead, Simpson’s side continued to look a threat going forward. Following some good work in midfield from Callum Watts and Ruaridh Donaldson in the 23rd minute, Kane Crichlow produced a curling effort from the edge of the hosts’ penalty area. Crichlow’s powerful strike beat Horlock, but hit the crossbar and rebounded into the path of Bradley Williams, who was unable to keep his effort on target.
Later on in the first half, Williams intercepted Slough defender Jeanmal Prosper’s loose touch and quickly slid the ball into the path of Hockey, who went through one-against-one versus Horlock. The Rebels’ shot-stopper made himself big and produced an impressive save to prevent Hockey from scoring his first league goal of the season. On the cusp of half time, Hockey then had another opportunity when Watts’ high clearance landed his way in a dangerous area. Hockey outmuscled former Claret Henry Ochieng to create space for himself, but was unable to keep his shot on target.
Following an indifferent start made by both teams to the second period, Simpson was forced into making two changes in the 57th minute and 62nd minute when Williams and Blackman respectively were forced off with knocks. The latter of the two was replaced by attacker Ibby Akanbi, who nearly made an instant impact on his City debut. The 27-year-old forced Horlock into making a smart stop with his feet, after shooting from a tight angle inside the Slough Town penalty area.
Moments later, the hosts then created their first clear-cut opportunity of the afternoon, and found an equaliser in the 65th minute. John Ufuah did well down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard area, which Spasov was able to convert, despite Sam Oguntayo’s last-gasp attempt to clear the shot off the line. Spasov then doubled his 24-25 National League South goal tally six minutes later, completing his brace when he headed home John Gilbert’s corner.
Rebels player-manager Davies nearly put his side out of sight in the 77th minute, striking a free-kick which hit the top of the crossbar. Clarets boss Robbie Simpson made his fifth and final change of the game in the 83rd minute when he introduced forward Jake Hyde; it was Hyde who came closest to finding an equaliser when he produced a shot from close-range in added time which Horlock easily saved.
City will now look to bounce back from their opening day defeat next weekend, when the club welcomes Hampton & Richmond to Melbourne Community Stadium for our first home game of the new National League South season.
Slough Town XI: Horlock (GK); Beeden, Bayliss ©, Prosper, Spasov (Timberlake 90+6’), Gilbert (Roth 88’), Chambers-Parillon, Davies, Ochieng, Lucan (Abisogun 46’), Ogbonna (Ufuah 55’).
Unused substitutes: Spicer.
Yellow cards: Prosper, Ochieng.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Orji (Hyde 83′), Penney, Oguntayo; Williams (Turner 57’), Blackman (Akanbi 62’), Watts, Crichlow, Donaldson (Tamplin 70’); Ruff ©, Hockey (Kalala 70’).
Unused substitutes: none.
Yellow cards: Hockey, Turner.
Match Officials: Martyn Mitchell (Referee), Zachary Cunningham (Assistant Referee), Stuart Lathan, (Assistant Referee), Jake Bloom (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 859
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