Shakpoke's debut goal lifts Slough Town to vital victory over Farnborough

Jaiden Drakes-Thomas scored Slough’s second. Photo: Zak Rana

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Slough Town 2, Farnborough 0

Slough Town’s new signing Ruben Shakpoke swept home the Rebels opening goal as Scott Davies’ side got back to winning ways at home to Farnborough last night (Tuesday).

Having fallen into the National League South drop zone off the back of five straight league defeats, the Rebels were in desperate need of a positive result and - in an entertaining and evenly matched affair - they managed to provide it.

Shakpoke’s signing from Welling United was announced in the build up to the game and Davies’ threw his new striker in at the deep end by handing him his first start.

Reiss Greenidge, Jared Myers and Ansu Janneh also came back in for Peter Ojemen, Johnny Goddard, Brian Nelson and Dan Roth as the Rebels looked to bounce back after Saturday’s encouraging display but disappointing exit from the FA Trophy at the hands of Gloucester City.

It didn’t take Shakpoke long to make an impact for the hosts, sweeping home in the 14th minute after combining well with new strike partner Wiktor Makowski.

The Rebels might have extended their advantage before half-time and had chances on the counter throughout the second half, but Farnborough also pressed hard for an equaliser that never came.

Amir Hadi missed a great chance to draw them level on the half-hour before Shakpoke caused chaos in the Farnborough box again in the 32nd minute when he latched onto a clearance from Davies.

Billy Clifford and Dominic Poleon both fired wide of the post as Farnborough threatened to draw level once again before the hour mark, while Myers missed a great chance to make it 2-0 to Slough when he fired against the crossbar from Jaiden Drakes-Thomas’ pull back. Janneh fired narrowly wide as another chance went begging to kill the game off and it looked like those misses might come back to haunt the hosts, but Adam Desbois came to Slough’s rescue. ‘

First, he saved well from Michael Klass’ powerful drive in the 70th minute and then pushed another Poleon effort behind for a corner after the Farnborough striker had got in behind Slough’s sleeping defence in the 79th minute,

Poleon will wonder how he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet with Desbois denying him again with a fingertip save in the 85th minute, but this was Slough’s night, and Drakes-Thomas confirmed that in stoppage time when his deflected shot from outside the area looped over former Rebel Jack Turner and into the back of the net.

Reflecting on the game, Davies said: "Huge win last night! Had to ride our luck on a couple of occasions but could’ve also scored a few more ourselves. Clean sheet and 3 points sets us up nicely for a tough one against Worthing at the weekend."

Two goals and a clean sheet should do wonders for Slough’s confidence as they look ahead to two more crucial home games against third placed Worthing on Saturday (November 22) and AFC Totton on Tuesday (November 25). The result lifts them to 21st place, still inside the drop zone but only by a point now from Farnborough in 20th.

Scott Davies gives his thoughts on a crucial three points after his side defeated Farnborough at Arbour Park last night.#OneSloughhttps://t.co/KUdr1I0CFf

— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) November 19, 2025