Resilient Rebels made to battle for share of the spoils with Eastbourne Borough

Tarik Gidaree, who scored the opener in Slough’s 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet United on Saturday. Photo: Zak Rana

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Their backs were against the wall at times as Eastbourne Borough pushed for a second half winner on Bank Holiday Monday, but the Rebels overcame injuries and a spot of fatigue to claim a very useful 1-1 draw on the road against a full-time side.

It’s been a very satisfying bank holiday weekend for Scott Davies and his side after they deservedly got the better of previously unbeaten Ebbsfleet United 2-0 on Saturday and backed that up with another performance full of fight and character at The Reach TV Stadium on Monday.

Did Monday’s performance match the intensity and endeavour of Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Fleet, probably not, but they stuck to their guns when the tide looked to be turning against them in the second half and saw the game through for a well-earned point.

Having lost back-to-back matches against Hemel Hempstead Town and Dorking Wanderers last week, there will also be a sense of relief that this new group of players can roll their sleeves up and mixing it with the best, both in terms of quality on the ball and courage and spirit off it.

Neither side was able to impose themselves on a ‘bitty’ first half of football, but the Rebels did manage to forge ahead in the 54th minute, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas showing what he has in his skillset as he jinked past a couple of challenges before slamming the ball home.

With the indomitable presence of centre half Reiss Greenidge having gone off with an injury at half-time, the Rebels started to get pinned back by Eastbourne’s direct football in the final 30 minutes.

They suddenly looked a bit shaky from set pieces and found it difficult to clear balls into their box. Eastbourne profited from one such moment when Oluwalopemiwa Aderoju (62') forced the ball past Adam Desbois.

But Slough’s defence - tiring after playing two matches in 48 hours - stood tall in the final minutes to see the game through.

Speaking to Cameron Webb after the game for sloughtownfc.net, Davies said: “I thought first half was a bit bitty. Wiktor has had a great chance, which would have been a hell of a goal because of the build-up.

“They had a lot of territory which we knew was going to happen. There were a lot of long throws and balls into the box. It was very similar to Truro last year. It’s effective and hard to deal with.

“Then we obviously get a well worked goal. Jaiden takes it superbly well.

“But I didn’t like us for the next five 10 minutes after that. I was bit anxious, and I said to Yells, I don’t feel like we’re going to see this game out. We needed to tweak it.

“They never really cut us open and there weren’t lots of saves for Adam to make one-on-one, but it was just set pieces. We lost Reiss at half-time which is obviously a massive blow when you have a team like Eastbourne who like to put it in your box.

“Overall, we’ll go away reasonably happy, but we’re disappointed to concede a goal from a set piece which we’re usually pretty good at.

“Reiss (Greenidge) might backpedal and win that header and that might allow Kiki to deal with his man, but there’s no blame from Kiki. We had to defend our box a lot in the second half. The wind had a big impact to, you can’t really get up the pitch from this end.

“But overall, four points from two games against two full time sides is a good achievement. It stands us in good stead going into two home games. I think we’ve got to be pleased with that.”

Slough will look to maintain their unbeaten run when they host Enfield Town on Saturday and Chippenham Town on Tuesday evening (September 2) in a double header at Arbour Park.

Results so far have the Rebels down in 16th place; however, there’s a growing confidence and sense this new-look side are starting to gel and encouraging signs they’re willing to fight and scrap for every point available.