Match Stats
For match stats, please visit the link here.
Report
Enterprise National League South leaders Hornchurch produced a clinical second-half display to secure a 5-2 win over Slough Town at Arbour Park, coming from behind twice to extend their unbeaten league start to the season to nine.
In a fiery contest that saw Slough reduced to ten men before half-time, the Urchins’ class and composure shone through in the closing stages, as goals from Charlie Ruff, Darren McQueen, Josh Rees and twice from Tom Wraight sealed an emphatic victory on the road.
Daryl McMahon made four changes to line up from last week’s 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup at Peterborough Sports with Angelo Balanta, Josh Rees, Charlie Pegrum and Darren McQueen entering the stage replacing Charlie Ruff, Sean Scannell, Charlie Adams and the suspended Henry Hearn.
The game started with high intensity as both sides looked to gain control and Hornchurch created the first major chance of the game on sixteen minutes, only for a close-range finish from Josh Rees to sail over the bar. Moments later, Johnny Goddard went close for the hosts with a dangerous free kick, but flied past the post.
Minutes later though, It was Slough who struck first in the twenty-fourth minute, as a loose ball in the box eventually fell to Goddard, who converted at the second attempt past Arthur Nasta, after his initial shot was blocked – 1-0 Slough.
Hornchurch responded well and got their reward just after the half-hour mark. A Slough defensive clearance dropped to Captain Tom Wraight from 25 yards out and let fly with a powerful strike that took a wicked deflection off Scott Davies, leaving goalkeeper Adam Desbois wrong-footed to level the score – 1-1 Hornchurch.
The game’s momentum shifted decisively five minutes before the break as Peter Ojemen was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Charlie Pegrum, a decisive moment that changed the complexion of the match.
Half Time – Slough Town 1-1 Hornchurch FC
With a man advantage, Hornchurch looked to dominate after the restart and carved out a series of opportunities as Desbois was forced into several fine saves from Charlie Pegrum and Angelo Balanta as the Urchins turned the screw.
Against the run of play, on the sixty-sixth minute, Slough snatched a second goal. A clever switch of play from Wiktor Makowski found Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, who coolly lifted the ball over Nasta to make it 2-1 to the hosts – 2-1 Slough.
That setback only seemed to sharpen Hornchurch’s focus and Skipper Tom Wraight stepped up once again to get his second goal of the afternoon in the seventy-fourth minute, hammering in a half-volley after Slough failed to clear their lines – 2-2 Hornchurch.
Barely three minutes later, Hornchurch took the lead for the first time of the afternoon, Tom Wraight turned to be the provider, curling in a dangerous corner that Angelo Balanta flicked on for Charlie Ruff to head home at the back post past Desbois and into the net to send the mighty Red army into raptures – 3-2 Hornchurch.
With Slough tiring and gaps beginning to appear, the Urchins capitalised and Charlie Ruff was involved again in the eighty-seventh minute, slipping a neat pass to Darren McQueen, who made no mistake with the finish – 4-2 Hornchurch.
In stoppage time, the three points were truly sealed as Ruff capped a superb substitute appearance by slicing open the defence with a pinpoint through ball for Josh Rees, who flicked the ball past Desbois to seal the win in style – 5-2 Hornchurch.
Afterwards, the referee blew his whistle, sending the away fans happy as the Urchins secured their seventh win of the season and remain unbeaten and top of the league after winning 5-2 at Arbour Park.
Full Time – Slough Town 2-5 Hornchurch
Enterprise National League South
Saturday 20th September 2025 | Arbour Park
Attendance: 782
