Slough 1
(Minhas 16′)
United 2
(Ash 58′, 72′)
Two second half strikes from Brad Ash saw United come from behind to beat Slough Town at Arbour Park on Saturday.
With Town leading through Nathan Minhas’ early opener, a rejuvenated showing from The Gulls after the break saw them eventually turn the game in the favour, thanks to Ash’s brace in Berkshire.
United Manager Gary Johnson made one change to the starting eleven that emerged victorious at St Albans seven days ago, with Aaron Jarvis back in the side to lead the attack in place of Dillon De Silva.
Although Johnson’s side had some bright moments in the opening exchanges, it wasn’t long before the hosts took charge of proceedings.
The first warning came on nine minutes, when Munashe Sundrie’s 20-yard effort forced Torquay No.1 Mark Halstead into a smart low parry, with Minhas unable to profit from the rebound.
Minhas made up for it seven minutes later though.
After winning a throw by the corner flag, Johnny Goddard’s volleyed cross found its way across to the post, and although it initially appeared too high for Slough’s Number Nine to capitalise on, Minhas produced an acrobatic bicycle kick to send the ball past Halstead and inside the far post.
Halstead was called into action on a number of occasions to prevent further damage prior to the change of ends.
After denying Minhas again, low saves to keep out low drives from George Armstrong and Jeanmal Prospect kept the deficit manageable, before a superb dive to keep out Josh Jackman’s rising volley raised his stock even higher, with the half-time whistle blowing immediately after.
Johnson demanded better at the break, and he duly got it, as United finally managed to throw the shackles off.
Halstead still had work to do, but after producing relatively comfortable saves to keep out close range efforts from Sundire and Minhas, Ash opening his goalscoring account in fine style.
In the 58th minute, having chased a number of lost causes with scant reward during the first 45 minutes, the Gulls striker did well to hold onto possession on the left edge of the 18-yard box, and after cutting inside to give himself a sight of goal, Ash produced a sublime curling shot that soared inside the far post.
Johnson’s men visibly grew in confidence following the leveller, with Lewis Collins making the most of more hard work from Ash before sending an effort over the crossbar from just inside the box just moments later.
The match never felt destined for a stalemate, and on 72 minutes, the Yellow Army were rewarded for another loyal showing on the road.
Collins – like many of his teammates – hadn’t had much go much his way during the first half, but he kept plugging away, and after leading a swift counter down the left wing, a momentary look-up prompted a delicious right-footed cross, and with the delivery being bang on the money, Ash was only too happy to apply the finishing touch with his perfectly placed header.
After working so hard to turn their fortunes around, Johnson’s men were in no mood to let their lead slip thereafter, and with the final whistle signalling their third successive victory, hearty celebrations duly began in the Torquay ranks.
Onto Braintee at Plainmoor on Bank Holiday – See you then!
SLOUGH TOWN: 1. Rohan Luthra, 2. Josh Jackman, 3. Gabe George (15. Tom McElroy, 83′), 5. Dan Bayliss, 6. Jeanmal Prosper (12. Leon Chambers-Parillon, 73′), 9. Nathan Minhas, 10. Johnny Goddard, 14. Scott Davies (23. David Ogbonna, 74′), 16. Temi Eweka, 18. Munashe Sundire, 24. George Armstrong.
SUBS NOT USED: 4. Joe Dandy, 11. Oliver Spicer.
Yellow Card: Prosper 45′
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead (c), 3. Dan Martin (Finley Craske, 20′), 4. Tom Lapslie (14. Brett McGavin 83′), 6. Ross Marshall, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 10. Lewis Collins (Dillon De Silva 79′), 11. Brad Ash, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs.
SUBS NOT USED: 2. Dylan Crowe, 22. Rhys Lovett
Yellow Card: Jenkins Davies 28′, Donnellan 90+1′
Attendance: 1,127