TT REVIEW

Clive reports back from Slough

SLOUGH TOWN 1-5 TORQUAY UNITED – 11.04.2026

SUMMARY

It’s hard to remember an occasion where a United side have been so dominant. This afternoon’s game at Arbour Park was won after 24 minutes- United going four nil up thanks to early goals from Dylan Morgan, Jordan Young and a brace from robust centre forward Deon Moore, who made a down payment on manager Jimmy Ball’s Thursday “floodgates” prediction.

If I’m brutally honest the first half was largely comprised, for many fans, of queuing for the bar whilst watching the Yellows get themselves out of sight against somewhat hapless opposition. In many ways it’s how National League South games were supposed to be!

Dylan Morgan opened the scoring with a well hit shot inside the far post. This was rapidly followed by a Jordan Young finish which went through some bodies before Deon Moore found his shooting boots:first from close range and secondly with a sharp assured finish from the edge of the box.

The second-half was a stroll in Arbour Park as Jimmy Ball rang the changes from the bench. There was an unexpected Slough goal not far from the final whistle, but United had the last laugh with a well taken Reece Evans goal to send the Yellow Army home in jubilant mood.

With two games now remaining, United did everything they possibly could to move towards the automatic promotion spot, although Worthing’s hammering of Dagenham and Redbridge makes it more likely that second or third will be our final destination: the playoffs await!

PLAYER RATINGS

15. STACEY – 7: Probably got a suntan. No chance with the goal.

3. FOULSTON – 7.5: No prisoners taken by our Welsh stalwart.

26. THOMAS – 6.5: An easy afternoon for our returning right back.

4. DYER – 7: He must have had a good game because I did not notice him.

5. DREYER – 7: Floppy haired elegance again ole ole.

20. HAYFIELD – 7: 90 more minutes for Dynamic Dan.

27. JAY – 7.5: Lively. Kept us ticking over. Probably never thought about Home Park once

18. WORTHINGTON – 7: Got his foot in and drove us forward.

11. MORGAN – 8: A menace. His 12th goal of the season set us off for another vital win.

8. YOUNG – 7.5: The recalled wingman was a threat, and his goal after just 16 minutes probably made the game safe.

19. MOORE – 8.5: Floodgates at least partly open! POTM (see below).

Subs

7. DENNIS – 7: Nice touch, as ever.

22. EVANS – 8: Met his younger brother on the way out. He was buzzing for Reece’s late fifth. So was I.

10. DOLAN – 6.5: Brings fire. Always risks cards and injury. We love him for it. A late armband recipient.

23. OSBORNE – 6 – The young loanee came on 13 minutes from time to give Worthington a rest. I said hello to him when he was warming down afterwards, and he said he’s enjoying his time with us.

28. TIZZARD – N/A:

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DEON MOORE

It’s hard to look past Deon Moore today. He added goals to his work rate and hold up play, and when he knocked in his second with just 24 minutes gone, it honestly looked as though United might have been in line for double figures.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Matty Jay will rightly win plaudits for skilful return in the 10 role however the two wingers were superb in the first half. Both Young and Morgan notching early to make it a very comfortable afternoon.

TACTICS

No surprises: this season’s standard 4-2-3-1 shape was employed to devastating effect.

THE OPPOSITION

In short, let’s be honest, woeful. Player-Manager Scott Daves looked As though he will relish drawing his pension this Wednesday, whilst his centre back partner Reiss Greenidge- good at Maidstone back in the day- had a similar stature to the Empire State Building, although perhaps less mobile. Yes we know we will probably be playing them again next season and of course it can never be ruled out that they will come out on top, but a more comfortable away day is hard to imagine.

THE OFFICIALS

I didn’t think the referee had a great game, but happily this was an afternoon where there was such a gulf between the two sides that it made no difference.

CONCLUSION

It would be churlish to say that if we had sacked the manager earlier we could be looking down the barrel of a championship season now but my goodness me these boys are turning on the class at the moment. It is relevant to say that Slough were not so much on the beach but in their third week of an all inclusive holiday, but this was an incredibly encouraging performance as we set our sights on the promotion that we all crave.

Up the Gulls.