Blitz of Farnbough FC is fillip to promotion hopefuls Slough Town FC

Slough Town put their promotion bid back on track with a 5-1 thrashing of Farnborough on Boxing Day, a necessary fillip after an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw with Stratford Town three days before.

The Rebels, looking to play catch-up having missed so many Southern League South Premier matches because of exciting FA Cup and FA Trophy runs, had to settle for four points from the first two matches of the festive period.

Joint manager Neil Baker had been hoping for all six, but a lack of composure in the area at home to Stratford meant they only bagged a point through a late Alan Inns effort, although it could have been even worse as Baker explains.

“We played well in the first half and created a lot of chances but just didn’t take them,” he said.

“Then we got caught with a sucker punch in the second half. After this we changed our tactics slightly, although not necessarily deliberately, and went longer, but still couldn’t.

“Fortunately we scored in the final minute to earn a point. It was very frustrating but when you enter the 94th minute of a game and are behind you have to be happy to come away with a point.”

Having dropped two points to mid-table Stratford, Baker said his side were keen to make amends on Boxing Day, but even then the early omens weren’t always promising.

He said: “Saturday’s result meant we had to be on our game against Farnborough as we couldn’t afford to slip up again.

“There wasn’t much we could say to the players before the match as it wasn’t as if we were doing much wrong, it was just about taking our opportunities.

“Although we scored very early, we were a bit guilty of not taking our chances again and were fortunate at the end of the half when they missed an absolute sitter which would have made the score level.

“However, we dominated the second half.”

That second minute goal from James Dobson was added to in the second half by Mark Nisbet, Nathan Webb, Chris Flood and substitute Gavin James to ensure a resounding win.

The result leaves the Rebels just outside the play-off zone with 42 points, although they have at least five games in hand on all the teams above them except Hereford who are one of the favourites for promotion.

Slough entertain Hereford at Arbour Park on January 6 in front of what will be a large crowd as Hereford are a well supported side.

However, before that meeting, Slough head to Chesham United on New Year’s Day (Monday) to face their Bucks rivals for the first time in this campaign.

The Generals come into the match having lost 3-1 at home to Hereford on Saturday which they followed with a 0-0 draw away at struggling Kings Langley.

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Slough Town supporters can purchase tickets for the Southern League South Premier clash with promotion rivals Hereford on Saturday, January 6 from the online club shop.

There will be no ticket sales at the ground on the day of the match.

Tickets purchased via the club’s online shop up to the end of the day on Monday, January 1 will be posted, first class delivery. Tickets purchased from Tuesday, January 2 onwards will not be posted and will be available for collection from the ticket office at Arbour Park on the day of the match.