Goddard scores twice as Slough Town defeat Salisbury to set up tie with Ebbsfleet United

Johnny Goddard. Photo: George Beck

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Slough Town 3, Salisbury 0

Slough Town are through to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in five seasons after eventually overcoming Southern League Premier Division Salisbury 3-0 in Tuesday’s replay at Arbour Park.

The Rebels were very much second best in Saturday’s goalless draw at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium where goalkeeper Rohan Luthra had to be in inspired form to keep Scott Davies’ side in the competition.

But, having rode their luck at the weekend, they produced a much better display on their own turf to run out 3-0 winners thanks to a brace from Johnny Goddard and a late goal from Temi Eweka.

The result earns them a trip to National League side Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, October 14 (3pm kick-off). The club’s away game at Taunton Town will now be postponed as a result.

With two goals to his name there was no doubting the Rebels man of the match, and it didn’t take Goddard long to make the breakthrough at Arbour Park. Only two minutes were on the clock when the deadlock was broken, Goddard calmly slotting home from the penalty spot.

Slough looked to press home their advantage with Nathan Minhas testing Gould with a header and Davies firing narrowly wide of the upright. The tie then tilted even further their way when Salisbury’s Aaron Simpson was sent off for a dreadful chopping challenge on Davies in the 23rd minute.

A goal and a man to the good, the Rebels set about taking advantage, but despite creating chances for Minhas and Tyrese Dyce, they had to wait until the 52nd minute to double their lead when David Ogbonna spun his marker and put his cross on a plate for Goddard to side foot home his second of the night. A third goal followed in the 73rd minute when Gould dropped the ball from a corner and Eweka was alive to drag flick the ball into the empty net.

It rounded off a comfortable evening’s work for the Rebels who responded well to Saturday’s underpar display.

They return to league action on Saturday when they host Weymouth - the side sitting just above them in the table - at Arbour Park