Late penalty sinks Slough Town as losing streak stretches to five matches

Slough Town in action at Horsham. Photo credit: Cameron Webb

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Horsham 1, Slough Town 0

Slough Town find themselves three points from safety in the National League South after conceding a late goal in Saturday’s narrow 1-0 loss away to Horsham.

In a game of few chances for either team, Slough were sunk by a late penalty and have now lost their last five matches in a row in the league, results that have seen them fall to 22nd place in the division.

Looking to rediscover some form in the league - and trying desperately not to be distracted by the excitement of their second round FA Cup tie at home to Macclesfield in a few weeks - Slough travelled to high-flying Horsham looking to be resolute.

They’d shown in their recent FA Cup win over National League Altrincham they’re perfectly capable of being dogged and resilient in defence, and this the visitors were for the most part before they conceded a penalty in the 83rd minute which James Hammond smashed past Adam Desbois.

The Rebels weren’t able to respond in the final minutes but had for the most part been the equal of their hosts, with Johnny Goddard and Tyrique Clarke having flashed decent chances just wide of the post.

Clarke had the best of the opportunities in the opening minutes, scuffing a shot straight at Horsham keeper Carey in the 11th minute. A few minutes later Greenidge nodded the ball into the path of Goddard but his effort at goal was similarly tame.

The visitors had their hearts in their mouths in the 17th minute when a corner ricocheted off a player in the area and cannoned back off the underside of the bar.

Then in an entertaining opening, Goddard lifted a ball over the top for Clarke who flashed a shot across the face of goal.

The remainder of the half was quieter, but the Hornets stepped up the tempo significantly after the break. Desbois was called into an early save at his near post after an error by Kiki Oshilaja in the 50th minute.

Five minutes later, Goddard was presented with a decent chance by a good ball through to him from Ansu Janneh, but his radar was slightly off, and the ball flew just wide of the post.

The hosts then nearly gifted the Rebels the lead with a loose back pass that had to be hooked away from goal by keeper Lewis Carey in the 67th minute.

Desbois pulled off an excellent save from a goal bound free kick in the 78th minute, but, just when it looked like the Rebels might hold on for a very useful point, they conceded a penalty with Hammond buried and there was little time for Scott Davies’ side to respond.

The result leaves Slough in 22nd, three points from safety, while Horsham’s win lifts them to fourth.

Slough now get a break from their disappointing league form and will next face Gloucester City in the second round of the FA Trophy at Arbour Park on Saturday (November 15).