Slough avoid defeat to Eastbourne with superb second-half fightback

Eastbourne Borough 3, Slough Town 3

Slough Town avoided a second National League South defeat in a row with a superb second-half fightback that ensured they left with a point against Eastbourne Borough at the weekend.

The Rebels saw a 10-match unbeaten streak (in all competitions) come to an end at Clarence Park last Tuesday (October 24) as a strong St Albans City side won 3-2.

Summer signing Mickel Platt was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for Slough’s encounter with Eastbourne on Saturday – the forward making his debut for the Scott Davies’s side having been plagued with an injury since arriving at Arbour Park in the summer.

Prolific striker George Alexander missed this match through injury as did midfielder Matt Lench who remains sidelined with a knock, confirmed by assistant manager Tony Fontenelle last week, while defender Temi Eweka was suspended.

Eight minutes were on the clock when the first goal was scored on this gloomy and grey day down south, Leone Gravata putting the ball in the back of the Rebels’ net following a mix-up in the box.

This goal came after Munashe Sundire was forced off with an injury and replaced by Leon Chambers-Parillon.

Much of the first half was dominated by the Sports who were afforded the time and space to repeatedly threaten their visitors’ goal.

Thankfully for the travelling support, goalkeeper Rohan Luthra was on top form, with his best save coming 10 minutes before the break, where Fletcher Holman had possession behind Slough’s defence and had his subsequent low drive denied by Luthra’s outstretched legs.

The second half began akin to the first and Eastbourne were able to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute, Decarrey Sherrif making no mistake from 10 yards out, assisted by Gravata.

Fortunately, this second goal seemed to rouse the Rebels as Chambers-Parillon travelled with the ball down the left before firing a low cross into the feet of Johnny Goddard(above)的触摸是崇高的体育goal, and he finished into the bottom right corner in the 56th minute.

It took just two minutes for the hosts to restore their two-goal advantage, however, as Slough were caught on the restart in play and Zak Emmerson finished in off the post.

Nevertheless, Davies’ men dug deep and got their reward 10 minutes later as a free kick from Goddard ricocheted off the Eastbourne wall into the path of Dom Hutchinson who laid debutant Platt off to roll the ball past Harrison Foulkes to make it 3-2.

The remainder of the second half was arguably dominated by the Rebels who camped in their opposition and saw several shots narrowly saved by Foulkes.

Eventually, parity was restored with Tyrese Dyce getting himself on the scoresheet with a thumping header in the 84th minute, finely assisted by Goddard.

Buoyed by the comeback, the Rebels went searching for a winning goal, but their last gasp efforts were well-stifled before the referee brought an end to this match, ensuring the sharing of spoils.

As a result, Slough Town remain 21st in the table with the side now turning their attention to this Sunday’s FA Cup first round clash with Grimsby Town at Arbour Park.