Rebels show character to come from behind despite not being at their best
Slough Town 2, Chippenham Town 2
Slough Town were far from their best in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Chippenham Town at Arbour Park, but the character they showed in the final 10 minutes saw them battle back from two goals down to maintain their long unbeaten run at home.
The Rebels are now 16 matches undefeated in all competitions at Arbour Park, but for a long time on Saturday it looked like that proud record would be coming to an end after Chippenham raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Aaron Amadi Holloway (14’) and Luke Spokes (54’).
Things just weren’t clicking for the home side who looked out of sorts after last week’s incredible 4-3 victory over play-off rivals Torquay
United.
Player manager Scott
Davies hasn’t really considered the side to be play-off contenders, despite the Rebels remarkable run of form in the last few months of the season. But with the side having moved to within four points of the top seven before kick-off, it’s becoming harder for him to deny they are now in the frame for it, should they be able to maintain their good form.
Visitors Chippenham looked to exploit that additional pressure in the opening half, with Amadi-Holloway heading home from close range in the 14th minute.
The Rebels huffed and puffed in the first half, with Nathan Minhas firing low across the face of goal in the 25th minute, but generally they weren’t at the levels they’ve reached in recent matches at home.
Then, in the 54th minute, Luke Spokes hammered home an unstoppable free kick to put Chippenham two goals to the good. The visitors didn’t look to be in the mood to give up such an advantage, however, in the 66th minute their full-back Nat Williams saw red for a second bookable offence and the Rebels gained some impetus.
They gave themselves a lifeline when David Ogbonna headed home in the 84th minute and then just two minutes later, Minhas headed home from close range to restore parity and send the
Rebels’ faithful wild in the stands. With 10 minutes of injury-time, the home side came close to a winner late on with Johnny Goddard and Dan Bayliss going close, but the hosts fell short of the ultimate comeback.
Still, Slough Town remain just five points off the play-off places ahead of this evening’s (Tuesday) game against Dartford Town at Arbour Park.
Dartford sit 10 points behind the Rebels in a surprisingly low position of 18th place for a side of their stature.
Their recent form hasn’t been the best, with the Darts losing three straight matches to Farnborough, Bath City and Chippenham Town, before bouncing back with a 2-1 win over bottom club Dover Athletic on Saturday.