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First half goals from Alexander and Goddard
Slough Town 2, Farnborough 0
Barring a mathematical anomaly, Slough Town will be playing National League South football again next season following Saturday's deserved 2-0 home win over Farnborough at Arbour Park.
In glorious spring sunshine, the Rebels turned on the style in the first half, grabbing a two-goal lead with goals from George Alexander and Johnny Goddard, before showing their more resilient side to nullify their much-improved visitors in the second half.
The result lifts them 10 points clear of the drop zone with just two matches left to play, and the weight that has been sitting on player/manager Scott Davies' shoulders since he took on the reins from Neil Baker and Jon Underwood almost visibly lifted as he celebrated with players, coaching staff and fans after the final whistle.
They've looked a decent bet for survival for the past few weeks now, having produced some impressive performances at Arbour Park, and that solid home form is set to see them comfortably over the line with a few weeks of the season remaining.
Afterwards Davies, who played in central defence again alongside the magnificent
Shane Bush, said he would take a back seat for the Rebels remaining games at Weymouth next Saturday and home to Braintree Town on the final day (April 29) and give others a chance to press their claims to remain at the club next season. With the club's takeover set to be confirmed in the summer, the future looks altogether brighter for the Rebels and their supporters.
Only a miraculous set of results from bottom club Concord Rangers can threaten their league status, so Davies can breathe a sigh of relief and cast one eye towards improving the club's position in the league next season. He can also afford himself the luxury of not looking at the league table every five minutes to ponder the various permutations. He also admitted afterwards he'd sleep a little better that evening.
Slough looked focused from the kick-off and took the lead after only seven minutes through Alexander's clinical finish. A couple of players had seen their shots blocked before Matt Lench's attempt at goal was deflected into the path of Alexander, who controlled it in an instant, swivelled and fired past former Rebel Jack Turner.
With Francis Amartey also causing prob
lems for Farnborough's defence, the Rebels looked a threat every time they ventured forward. Amartey came close in the 12th minute, sweeping a shot goalwards after stepping inside his man, however, Turner was equal to the attempt and pushed it behind.
The home side doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when Amartey's effort was blocked illegally by a Farnborough hand in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. It followed a slick Slough move which put Alexander in the clear again, but on this occasion, he couldn’t beat Turner.
Goddard kept his cool, firing straight down the middle as Turner dived to his left. Slough could have added more to their tally before the break, with Goddard's low shot blocked by Turner's legs while the same player saw another attempt smothered by the Farnborough keeper late in the half.
Aside from a couple of blocked shots, Farnborough created nothing of note in the first half, however, they raised their game after the interval as Slough set back and looked to protect their lead. Sitting deeper, they invited the visitors on for much of the second half and looked to catch them out on the break. With Lee Togwell, Davies and Lench taking the sting out of the game whenever they could, the hosts showed all their experience as they saw the game out with relatively few scares.
Another former Rebel, Freddie Grant, went close with a header that flew over the crossbar in the 56th minute while Ricky Holmes tame free kick was comfortably gathered in by Will Dennis.
At the other end, Josh Jackman volleyed wide at the far post from Lench’s corner, Togwell saw an effort from distance turned behind by Turner and Bush steered another Lench corner narrowly wide in the 78th minute.
Ogo Obi came on for Amartey midway through the second half and very nearly deflected in a third for Slough in the 80th minute after Kevin Lokko woefully underhit a back pass, however, in the end, the hosts didn't need a third goal to confirm their dominance.
At the end Slough fans sang 'we are staying up!' and for the first time this season, Davies and his players were able to join in without worrying they'll jinx their survival bid.