On Saturday August 22nd Hampton & Richmond Borough return to Beveree Stadium for the first time this season.
Last time out the Beavers suffered our third defeat in our opening three games, falling to Horsham 2-0 away from home on Tuesday evening.
Despite the scoreline, there were some positives to take from the match. Winger Sak Hassan looked lively in the second half, Rohan Ince struck the post in his first start of the season, and youngster Hayden Barrett was arguably the best player on the pitch in Hampton colours on what was his professional debut. Hear from Alan Dowson regarding the defeat here.
Saturday’s opponents Slough will bring a few familiar faces back to the dugout as former player and manager Alan Julian returns to Beveree for the first time since his departure last season. Assistant Manager Donovan Chislett also returns, and the former Beavers coaches have enjoyed a mixed start to life at Arbour Park, falling to Dover Athletic 5-3 and Farnham 1-0 in their first two matches of the season after their opening fixture of the season against Ebbsfleet was postponed.
The Rebels went into half time in their first match against Dover 3-0 down but showed good fight to draw level after just 11 minutes in the second half. However, a 78th minute goal from Jack Bates and another in stoppage time from Rolando Onu sealed their fate.
Midweek it was a superb strike from Cook-Appiah which denied Slough the points in their first home match of the season against Farnham Town, but Chislett remained positive in a post-match interview stating, “Football is about winning, were not happy we haven’t picked up points but we’re happy that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Over the summer Slough’s biggest piece of recruitment was holding onto their player of the season from 25/26 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, who scored nine goals from midfield for the Rebels last season including an elegant curler in our 3-1 victory at Arbour Park in March 2026.
Other notable players returning are full back Tarik Gidaree, striker Ruben Shakpoke who netted seven last season, and winger Jared Myers who registered 7 goal contributions last season and picked up the clubs young player of the season award.
Experienced forward Luke Holness netted a brace against Dover. He joined the Rebels in October 2025.
Another player to look out for will be the 19-year-old full-back Freddie Taylor who joined Slough Town on loan from League One side Bromley prior to Tuesday’s match against Farnham.
It was a back-and-forth affair in this fixture last season, with Alan Julain in the home dugout and his counterpart that day Scott Davies playing and scoring for Slough, who eventually ran out 3-2 winners.
In total the two sides have played fourteen matches, with Slough emerging victorious in seven of them.
Let’s hope Dowse and his boys can turn this young season on its head and pick up our first three points of the season in front of the Beveree faithful for the first time this season!
It is only a homecoming match once, so grab your TICKETS HERE and come support the lads!
There's also still time to grab your SEASON TICKETS HERE!
Up The Beavers!
By Jack Lonergan