Match sharpness proves key for Rebels in big win over Beavers
Slough Town FC: Slough score four second half goals in 20 minutes to seal victory in emphatic fashion
Match sharpness proved key as Slough Town demolished Hampton & Richmond Borough in the second half to run out 4-1 winners at Arbour Park on Tuesday.
The Rebels came into the game only 48 hours after their entertaining – and somewhat ill-deserved – 3-2 defeat at the hands of leaders Oxford City, while Hampton hadn’t played since their 3-0 defeat to St Albans City on December 11. And those 17 days without a game had stripped away their sharpness going into a game against a side they were level with on points.
Make no mistake, Slough were impressive from the outset, but even joint boss Jon Underwood was slightly surprised as just how routine this victory became in the second half. He and Neil Baker did not expect to beat Hampton so convincingly and because of that, he’s marked it down as their best display of the season.
They also now have a potentially devastating forward partnership in Alfonso Tenconi and Tyler Goodrham, with the latter netting on his home debut after moving to the club from Hayes. Both are hard-working, with an eye for goal and Hampton’s defence was stretched from pillar to post throughout the 90 minutes. Perhaps the most surprising thing, given his excellent all-round display, is that Tenconi didn’t manage to get his name on the scoresheet.
Reflecting on the performance with Ade Gomm for Sloughtown.net, Underwood said: “I thought we were excellent from start to finish. Particularly given the effort we put in just two days ago. We were bright, and our energy levels were superb. Hampton’s situation was the exact opposite to ours as they hadn’t played in 17 days. They were going to be fresher, but also rustier and we just didn’t know how that would pan out. But maybe we were just a little sharper than them and maybe they didn’t quite reach their usual levels today.”
Underwood struggled to pick out individuals after an excellent collective display from the hosts. Aaron Kuhl, who found the net to make it 3-0 in the 66th minute was given the sponsors man of the match, but every player in amber and blue could lay a claim for the honour. Goodrham must also have come close after opening the scoring in the 55th minute, while Lench and Hollis also impressed and got their name on the scoresheet in a dazzling 20-minute spell that saw the hosts score four without reply.
“That period, after a scrappy start to the second half, we were unbelievable,” added Underwood. “
“We were just pouring forward at every opportunity and scored some great goals. We also had a real cutting edge up front with the two 18-year-olds. That’s an exciting partnership, and this was probably our best display of the season and sets us up nicely for a big January.”
He added: “Tyler has been on our radar since pre-season. He went to Hayes but he’s one we’ve been talking to, and we’re delighted to get him. He’s fitted in straight away and he’s an exciting player for us in the final third. The goal he scored for us today was brilliant. His first touch was excellent, and he was calm with the finish. Alfonso also looks exciting and the pair of them looked good. It was also lovely to see Guy get that goal. He was excellent today and it was nice to see the goals shared around. Perhaps the biggest shock is we got four today and Alfonso didn’t score.”