A familiar face from United’s 2018/19 title-winning side could return to Plainmoor as Slough Town arrive with fresh recruits and signs of recovery. For the Gulls, the aim is to build on last weekend’s FA Cup success.
Torquay United v Slough Town
Enterprise National League South
Saturday 10 October | 3pm | Plainmoor
The league table tells one story. Jimmy Ball’s assessment offers another.
Slough arrive bottom of National League South after a difficult opening ten matches. But a recent away victory at AFC Totton and a draw with Ebbsfleet United have provided encouragement — and United’s manager expects an opponent with plenty of fight.
After the grit of last Saturday’s FA Cup win at Tonbridge, the challenge for the Gulls is to bring that same determination back to Plainmoor.
THE 60-SECOND GUIDE
Club: Slough Town
Nickname: The Rebels
Home: Arbour Park
Interim management: Johnny Goddard, Ryan Case and Henry Ochieng
League record: Played 10, won 1, drawn 1, lost 8
Points: 4
Goals: 10 scored, 24 conceded
Latest league result: Slough 1–1 Ebbsfleet United
Their last five league results, oldest first: Braintree 1–2, Salisbury 1–5, AFC Totton 1–0, Hemel Hempstead 0–2, Ebbsfleet 1–1.
THE STORY YOU NEED TO KNOW
September brought a change of direction at Arbour Park.
Alan Julian departed after six consecutive league defeats, with Goddard, Case and Ochieng taking interim charge. A heavy loss at Salisbury followed, but the response at Totton was significant: a first victory, a first clean sheet and something to build upon.
Their latest league outing brought another point, against Ebbsfleet, with Keenan Quansah’s late equaliser rewarding a determined response after falling behind.
Speaking afterwards to Slough’s club media, interim joint manager Ryan Case praised his players’ resilience and said the performance showed the aggression, commitment in duels and willingness to move forward that he had demanded.
Slough remain in need of results, but United will face a side finding reasons for renewed belief.
FAMILIAR FACES, FRESH RECRUITS
There is a familiar name in Slough’s ranks who holds a special place in the memories of the Yellow Army.
Saikou Janneh joined the Rebels on 26 September, bringing the possibility of a Plainmoor return for one of United’s 2018/19 championship favourites. Then on loan from Bristol City, Janneh scored 16 league goals and 18 in all competitions as the Gulls secured the National League South title.
Jordan Thomas also joined Slough last month after making 67 appearances for United, but his availability is uncertain. The defender withdrew during the warm-up before Slough’s defeat to Hemel Hempstead on 26 September and subsequently missed their matches against Ebbsfleet and Aylesbury.
Further reinforcements arrived this week, with defender Elijah Oladunjoye joining on loan from Aldershot and forward Jamie Odegah from Luton. Both made their debuts in Tuesday’s county cup tie against Aylesbury.
MEN TO WATCH
Saikou Janneh — forward
United supporters need little introduction to Janneh’s pace and attacking threat. Now 26, he can operate through the middle or on either wing, and his career since leaving Plainmoor has included spells with Cambridge United, AFC Wimbledon and Truro City.
He made an encouraging Slough debut against Hemel Hempstead, with the club’s match report highlighting his ability to beat defenders and deliver from the right. A player remembered fondly in yellow could present a very different challenge in Slough colours.
Dennis Adeniran — midfielder
A recent addition with substantial experience, Adeniran has represented Fulham, Everton, Wycombe Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as playing in Scotland and overseas.
He made his Rebels debut from the bench against Ebbsfleet before starting against Aylesbury on Tuesday. Case has highlighted the senior experience he brings to the centre of the pitch — a valuable addition as Slough seek greater consistency.
Keenan Quansah — defender
Quansah supplied the decisive intervention in Slough’s latest league outing, turning home an 82nd-minute equaliser against Ebbsfleet after Joe Morrison headed Johnny Goddard’s cross back across goal.
Case praised his character in responding to a difficult previous match. Quansah also came close to scoring against Aylesbury, with his close-range header pushed onto the crossbar — evidence that United must watch his movement when deliveries come into the box.
JIMMY’S VIEW
Ball’s warning at Thursday’s press conference was clear: Slough’s position should not dictate United’s approach.
“They start very quick,” he said. “Very athletic and aggressive mindset in their attacking play.
“If they win the ball back off you, there’s runners forward. We’ve got to cope with that.”
The Gulls boss wants his players to match the visitors’ urgency and reproduce the defensive commitment shown at Tonbridge.
“We have to show the desire and determination to keep a clean sheet that we did Saturday,” he said.
“We’ve got to carry on in that same vein.”
UNITED TEAM NEWS
Deon Moore has returned from international duty with Guyana, with Ball reporting that the forward had trained well and returned full of confidence.
Angelo Cappello has also benefited from another week of preparation, increasing United’s attacking options.
However, Ball revealed that a couple of unnamed key players had picked up niggles in training and would require further assessment before Saturday.
WHEN WE LAST MET
United enjoyed both meetings last season.
A lively September afternoon at Plainmoor brought a 4–2 victory, with all six goals arriving before half-time. Jordan Young, Louis Dennis and Cody Cooke scored for the Gulls, alongside a Johnny Goddard own goal.
April’s return at Arbour Park finished 5–1 to United. Dylan Morgan, Young and a Deon Moore double helped establish a four-goal advantage inside 25 minutes, before a late exchange of goals completed the scoring.
Those results are happy memories, but Saturday presents a fresh examination against a changing Slough side.
THE CHALLENGE
For United, the task is to turn last weekend’s resilience into another performance supporters can get behind.
Slough’s quick starts and forward runners demand concentration, while their recent recruitment gives Ball’s side further threats to consider.
Match their energy, defend with conviction and make United’s attacking quality count: those are the priorities as league football returns to Plainmoor.
BE PART OF IT
Kick-off is at 3pm tomorrow. Supporters are encouraged to book ahead to secure their preferred seats and avoid queues.
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COME ON YOU YELLOWS!
