Slough 1
(Celestine-Charles 81′)
United 5
(Morgan 8′, Young 16′, Moore 19′, 24′, Moore 90+2′)
United made it four wins on the trot on Saturday, as they emerged as clear winners at Slough.
A stunning start by The Gulls saw them race into a four-goal lead inside 25 minutes, with Dylan Morgan, Jordan Young and Deon Moore, twice, all getting on the scoresheet. The scoreline remained unaltered until late on, when Jaiden Celestine-Charles pulled one back for the hosts, only for Reece Evans to restore the four-goal winning margin in injury time.
As has been the case in recent weeks, manager Jimmy Ball shuffled his starting line-up ahead of the clash at Slough, with Seb Stacey, Jordan Thomas, Young, Matt Jay and Moore recalled at the expense of James Hamon, Will Tizzard, Sonny Blu Lo Everton, Louis Dennis and Reece Evans.
United were out of the traps like a train.
Morgan, who has been so impressive in recent weeks, had already rattled the crossbar once before he opened the scoring on eight minutes, with the winger producing another confident finish to highlight his current form.
On 16 minutes, it was two.
After Young’s free-kick into the box was worked back into his path by Dan Hayfield, Torquay’s recalled No.8 fired home through a crowd of players to notch his 16th goal of the season.
Mo(o)re was to follow.
After a corner caused chaos inside the Town box three minutes later, Moore was ideally placed to turn in his first goal for the club, before doubling his tally on 24 minutes.
This time, a Slough corner provided the build-up for the goal, as United repelled the ball into the box before launching a superb break upfield that Moore was only too happy to apply the finishing touch to.
Twice again Ball’s men went close before the change of ends.
In the 42nd minute, Moore unselfishly turned down the chance of a hat-trick when closing in on goal by attempting a pass to Morgan instead – Slough managed to see that attack away to safety.
The woodwork intervened again two minutes later, with Jay the player left disappointed by the crossbar on this occasion, before the half-time whistle brought some reprieve for the beleaguered hosts.
In truth, the second half never seriously threatened to scale those heights, with Slough appearing to adopt a damage limitation exercise, whilst United took up the chance to bring several players off the bench in the latter stages.
The home side finally had something to celebrate with nine minutes remaining, as Celestine-Charles curled home a fine effort from the edge of the box, only for Ball’s side to respond in injury time.
Substitute Charlie Osborne, one of the players given a taste of the action late on, launched a foray into opposition territory with a penetrative run before delivering a superb cross into the box, allowing fellow deadline day loan signing Evans to bring the ball down and coolly slot home past grounded Rebels goalkeeper Michael Edegbe.
Plenty still yet to be decided, but one thing is undeniable – Plainmoor will be the place to be next Saturday, as United’s bid for promotion intesifies.
SLOUGH TOWN: 13. Michael Edegbe, 2. Tarik Gidaree, 6. Reece Greenidge, 7. Tyrique Clarke, 8. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, 14. Scott Davies, 16. Dan Roth, 17. Tyrese Dyce, 25. Harvey Walker, 26. Jaiden Celestine-Charles, 29. Luke Holness.
SUBS NOT USED: 3. Erion Zabeli, 9. Kian Berry, 15. Brian Nelson, 20. Balu Makumbi, 22. John Clarke, 23. Jared Myers, 28. Noah Hay.
Yellow Card: Roth 54′, Dyce 63′
UNITED: 15. Seb Stacey, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 5. Sam Dreyer, 8. Jordan Young, 11. Dylan Morgan, 18. Matt Worthington (c), 19. Deon Moore, 20. Dan Hayfield, 26. Jordan Thomas, 27. Matt Jay.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. James Hamon (GK), 7. Louis Dennis, 10. Callum Dolan, 22. Reece Evans, 23. Charlie Osborne, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 28. Will Tizzard.
Attendance: 1,292
