Davies hails 'incredible belief' after Slough Town's comeback victory at Maidstone

Basil Tuma levels the scores against Maidstone United. Photo: Zak Rana

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Slough Town managed to overcome setbacks both on and off the field as they fought back for a 2-1 win at Maidstone United on Saturday.

A bad traffic accident on the M25 led to the game being pushed back by half-an-hour to enable Slough’s players and supporters to get to the Gallagher Stadium for kick-off.

Many of them arrived late, but Scott Davies was able to name the same starting line-up that convincingly defeated Chelmsford City 5-0 at Arbour Park the previous weekend.

The Rebels played without much of the ball in the first half, as the Stones dominated possession in the first half. Slough had a few opportunities on the counterattack and Davies felt that were unfortunate not to take one or two of those, but the visitors fell behind six minutes before the break when former Rebel John Gilbert fired home from a rebound after Adam Desbois had made a good save.

Feeling slightly aggrieved to come off trailing at the interval, Davies and assistant boss Tony Fontenelle did their best to rally the troops and their words clearly had the desired effect.

Two goals from the Rebels in a 10-minute spell midway through the second half turned the game on its head.

Wiktor Makowski was the provider for the first, picking out the unmarked Reading FC loanee Basil Tuma who curled home his second goal in as many games just after the hour mark.

The visitors then took the lead with a great flowing move in the 71st minute. Substitute Ruben Shakpoke drove to the byline and clipped the ball back for Jaiden Drakes-Thomas to rifle home.

Slough had a couple more opportunities to kill the game off in the final stages, with Tuma combining well with Tyrese Dyce. But Desbois and the Rebels defence also needed to be alert to see the game through for all three points. Desbois palmed away a free kick in injury-time, with Jacob Borgnis made a couple of crucial challenges to prevent the Stones from snatching a late point.

Here’s how we produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Maidstone United 2-1 at Gallagher Stadium yesterday https://t.co/oRi9v8JQM7

Zak Rana#OneSlough pic.twitter.com/pW0vrGvjHd

— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) February 8, 2026

Speaking with Connor McNeish for Sloughtown.net after the final whistle, Davies said: “The preparation wasn’t great. We heard from the boys that there was a fatal accident, which is extremely sad. It puts everything into perspective.

“We moan about people not getting here on time and delaying the kick-off and things but there’s a lot bigger things in life and more important things.

“Going onto the game itself, we had to name the team three times, because we didn’t think lads were going to get here. Half an hour later, three of the lads managed to get past the accident and they arrived at 3.10pm so we changed it back to as close to the original team as we could. For us it was a little bit chaotic and carnage, but we said to the lads, don’t use it as an excuse.

“The belief in there is absolutely incredible. To win six games out of eight in this league is no mean feat. The teams that we’ve beaten as well, on paper, we shouldn’t be beating them.

“The desire and hunger, what the lads are giving us is incredible. In the first half, we probably should have scored two or three. They had a good chance where Adam (Desbois) made a really good save, and they scored from the rebound. We were without the ball at times, which makes it a bit scrappy, but we countered well at times and felt we were a little bit unfortunate to go in behind at the break.

“The team talk was really positive and then second half, I thought the work rate and desire was brilliant. The way we defended our box and Adam Desbois as well was excellent. To beat a team like Maidstone on their own turf, is a massive result for us. One that a lot of people wouldn’t expect but it was one we felt we could win.”

Slough have picked up 18 points from the last 24 available in the league, and this victory lifts the side to 16th in the table ahead of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) home game with fifth placed Weston-Super-Mare.

Davies added: “We had a period in November when we played Maidstone, Weston and Horsham and we lost all three matches. I feel like now is a true reflection of us as a team. This is the team that I’ve craved for all season and they’re giving me everything.

“I wanted to see how far we’ve come. To get beat 4-1 by Maidstone on our own patch and then come here today and win 2-1. I’m not saying we’re going to go and win the game (on Tuesday), but we have a team that we believe can go and win the game. It’s a huge week for us. The teams we’ve beaten in this run of games. We’ve beaten some massive, massive teams.”