United will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce this Saturday, as The Gulls head to Berkshire to take on Slough Town.
Having taken maximum points from their last two matches against Chippenham Town (2-1) and at St Albans City last Saturday (1-0), Gary Johnson’s side head to Arbour Park looking to continue their way up the early National League South table.
Who’s the boss?
Scott Davies took over the role of Player/Manager at Arbour Park in November 2022, with the role being his first managerial appointment, following a brief stint as Caretaker Manager, leading them to an 18th place finish. Scott came through the youth ranks at Watford, Wycombe & Reading where he gained his first professional contract in 2006. While at the Royals in a five year spell, Davies also had loan spells at Yeading, Aldershot, Wycombe, Yeovil & Bristol Rovers.
Upon his release from the Berkshire club in 2011, the midfielder had spells at Crawley, Oxford United, Dunstable, Wealdstone, Oxford City & Chelmsford City before his first spell at Slough came in 2018, where he helped the club to promotion to the National League South via the Southern League Play-Offs. Kingstonian & Harlow came next before Davies returned to Arbour Park in July 2019. The 35 year old has also represented the Republic Of Ireland at both Under 19 & Under 21 level.
How have they been doing?
The Rebels started the season with three straight defeats, those being at Maidstone United on the opening day (1-2), followed by two home defeats to Dover Athletic (1-2) and then Worthing (1-4). Last week saw Slough get their first three points of the season away at Weston-Super-Mare, where they defeated the unbeaten Seagulls 3-0 thanks to a George Alexander hat-trick.
Player to watch
George Alexander came through the youth set up at Millwall, where he got his first professional contract, but only went on to make one appearance for the London club before his move to current team Bromley upon his release from the New Den. Since joining the Ravens in 2021, Alexander has played 38 games and scored six goals, whilst also having loan spells at Welling United, where he scored four goals in eleven games, and also Slough Town where he is currently in his second spell, with his first being at the tail end of the 2022/23 campaign, where in 7 games he scored an impressive ix goals. The striker got his goal tally started for this season, scoring a hat-trick in last weeks win at Weston-Super-Mare, giving the Rebels their first win of the season.
Played for both
Elliot Benyon was a product of the Academy at Bristol City, and while at Ashton Gate had loan spells at St Albans City & Crawley Town. Upon his release from the Robins in 2007, Benyon had his first spell here at Plainmoor, playing 125 games and scoring 39 goals in the league, and helping the Club climb out of non-league and back into the Football League in 2009, before his release in 2011. A season at Swindon Town followed which also included a loan spell at Wycombe, before Southend United were next for the striker.
During his time at Roots Hall, Benyon made a return to the English Riviera on loan, a move which was made permanent in the summer of 2013, and in a two year stay at United he made another 43 appearances and scored three goals in the league, before a loan spell at Hayes & Yeading United led to a permanent transfer there upon the end of his contract at the Gulls in 2015.
Subsequent spells at Wealdstone, Enfield(loan), Whitehawk & Leatherhead came before in 2019, the striker embarked on a three year stay at Oxford City, and the 35 year old spent the 2022/23 season at Slough Town, scoring three goals in 22 league appearances. Elliot is currently at Hanwell Town in the Premier South of the Southern League.
Previous encounter
Slough Town 0 – 0 United | National League South | Saturday 18th August 2018
ALEX Bass was the late hero for United, saving a penalty five minutes from time to secure a welcome point but a game the Gulls could have so easily won. United were the side in the ascendancy during a relatively forgettable game, but that changed when Slough were awarded that penalty, and Bass responded with his moment in the limelight, producing a fine save to earn a point.
Ticketing information for tomorrow’s match is available HERE, whilst full live commentary will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.