Rebels’ cup run ‘gets interesting’
Slough Town FC: Slough see off FA Trophy rivals at Arbour Park
Slough Town 3, Eastbourne Borough 1
Things are about to ‘get interesting’ for Slough Town after they progressed to the fourth round of the FA Trophy at the expense of Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.
The Rebels didn’t have things all their own way against Borough, in fact the visiting manager Danny Bloor felt his side were the better team, however, they got the job done thanks to goals from Alfonso Tenconi and Max Worsfold (two) and a splendid performance from stand-in keeper Michael Edegbe.
This is the furthest managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood have taken a team in the competition, and it’s the first time Slough have made it to the fourth round since the 2004/05 season.
They’ll visit York City of the National League North in the next round on January 15, after the draw was made on Monday, and the game will be something for the club to look forward to after a testing run of
Christmas and New Year league fixtures.
“If you are in this competition, come January, which we are now, it gets interesting,” said Underwood.
“The last 32 opens up to be national and it just adds something else to your season. Alongside your league campaign, it gives you something else to play for, so I’m delighted.
“It was a tough game, and we knew it would be. They beat us, 3-1, at their place four weeks ago, so we know they’re a good side. For spells today, that put us under a lot of pressure.
“I was pleased with the first half, but in the second half we got a bit ragged, and I don’t think we were in control of the game at times.
“But it’s cup football and it’s just about getting yourself through to the next round. I thought we showed a lot of grit, a lot of resilience, and scored some good goals.”
It took just nine minutes for the Rebels to open the scoring as Scott Davies’ quicklytaken free kick – given for a foul on George Hunt – was picked up by Tenconi and finished with aplomb.
The youngster continued to impose himself and nearly had an assist to his name when he sent Hunt through on goal, only for Lee Worgan to save with his legs.
Down the other end, Dominic Hutchinson rattled the upright having skipped away from Sean Fraser before Rebels ‘keeper Edegbe made a good block at the feet of Charley Kendall in the 26th minute.
Five minutes later, however, the home side doubled their lead from the right flank with a sublime free kick curled into the corner by Worsfold, surprising supporters and players alike.
Having scored his first competitive goal for the Rebels last week, Hunt was in the mood for another and chalked up the final attempt of the half which forced Worgan to get down swiftly to save.
The Sports came out after the interval with a newfound intensity and, had it not been for Edegbe, could have halved the deficit in the 57th minute when Kendall was sent through one-on-one.
Moments later, however, Worsfold (59’) dispatched another goal for himself and his team. Then, Greg Luer (60’) promptly had the ball in the back of the net as the hosts switched off in the restart.
In the 77th minute, Edegbe was called into action at his near post to keep out Hutchinson’s effort before James Hammond smashed an attempt way over the woodwork with seven minutes left.
With Freddie Grant and Aaron Kuhl in particular showing great composure, the Rebels professionally wound down the clock in the final minutes to make sure of their place in the next round.