Romans victory ‘exceeded expectations’ - Fontenelle
Slough Town FC: Triumph at Twerton Park should not be underestimated according to assistant manager
Assistant manager Tony Fontenelle believes Slough Town ‘exceeded expectations’ with their victory over National League South promotion hopefuls
Bath City this week.
Slavi Spasov scored his fourth goal in as many games and Scott Davies netted a sublime free kick as the
Rebels clinched a surprising 2-1 victory at Twerton Park on Tuesday night.
In a first half devoid of significant chances, it was a mistake by the home side that led to the first goal as, in the 38th minute, Luke Russe was dispossessed by Munashe Sundire, and the midfielder’s drive across the box was turned in by the in-form Spasov.
In the early stages of the second half, Bath improved their performance significantly and managed to equalise in the 54th minute when Oscar Thorn created an opening down the right side and made an excellent pass to Jordan Thomas, who skilfully evaded Dan Bayliss and Sundire before smashing the ball past Rebels goalkeeper Dan Lincoln.
For many, it looked like the Romans were going to march on to victory, but player/manager Davies was keen to prove otherwise and, on the hour mark, he put Slough back in the ascendancy with a fine set piece.
Brought on for Spasov with 15 minutes to go, Nathan Minhas made himself a nuisance in and around the box but in the dying embers, Temi Eweka was the man in the right place to secure the three points for the Rebels as he cleared Cody Cooke’s header off the line following a mix up between Joe Dandy and Lincoln.
“I think if you had offered us a point before the game, we would’ve taken that. To come away with all three just exceeded expectations if truth be told,” Fontenelle said to the Express.
“We are ecstatic. Bath is a difficult place to go to. In all my years involved in football, I’ve rarely come away with anything from Bath. More often than not, I’ve come away from there pleased that my team have lost by the odd goal.
“It was an industrial performance from the boys, it was truly fantastic.
“We managed to go into half-time a goal up but we knew there was going to be an onslaught in the second half.
“Bath were pretty much camped in our half early on – it was very difficult for us to get out. When they got the equaliser, which was a very well-taken goal, you could see it gave them a lift and the momentum shifted in their favour.
“Nevertheless, we dusted ourselves down and gave it a good go. We got our rewards too. Scotty came up with a fantastic strike and I don’t think he could have put it in any better place. It was near on impossible for a goalkeeper to keep that out and it proved to be the winner. I think that goal deflated Bath.”
Fontenelle added: “We were able to bring on some experience in Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard to see us through the last 30 minutes.
“In injury time, there was a bit of a mix-up between Joe Dandy and Dan Lincoln that led to a Bath player having a free header. Temi, however, read the situation really well and was able to clear the ball off the line.
“As the home team and one that was in a play-off position prior to that game, they are going to have those sorts of moments. Fortunately for us, they weren’t able to capitalise.”
Slough Town travel to the Bob Lucas Stadium this weekend to face 20thplaced Weymouth.
The two sides last met on Saturday, October 7, and played out a 0-0 draw.
“We know the sorts of sides Bobby Wilkinson produces,” said Fontenelle.
“We will have to be at our best to get something from that game.”