Slough Town vs Hemel Hempstead Town

Ground #370: Arbour Park

Tuesday 3rd September 2019

Slough Town 2-0 Hemel Hempstead Town

Conference South

Attendance: 713

Admission: £13

I spent a few months labouring for a mate's building firm and we'd normally be holed up in some Airbnb in Willesden during the week. This enabled me to take advantage of the groundhopping options available to me, while having to endure the brunt of their piss-taking as I'd venture off in the evening to watch some low-quality soccer!

Slough was the best choice for that week's fixtures. The Rebels had spent four seasons in the Conference alongside Dover in the 1990s before financial problems caused a turbulent era for the club. They tumbled down the leagues and they were eventually evicted from their Wexham Park home in 2003, thereafter having to groundshare with Windsor & Eton, then Beaconsfield.
During my early years of supporting Dover one of my better memories was beating them 3-1 at home on the opening day of the 2004/05 season. Chris Wright scored a stunning 30 yard strike! I remember them bringing distinctly good support, rare in those days. 

They were homeless until the start of 2016/2017 when they moved into this 3G Arbour Park Stadium. Having spent such a long time in exile, the main important thing is that they are back in town. And a great location it is too - just a 12 minute walk northwards from the train station.
As I write this now they're looking in strong contention to get promoted to national level football again. It has clearly rejuvenated fortunes for the club. 

I don't have much expectations for newbie leisure stadiums, but Slough have built themselves a pretty tidy ground here. They have covered terraces behind each goal - albeit not deep - and seated stands on either side. The main one has very impressive facilities including a bar at the top of the stand, which serves beers from the nearby Marlow Brewery that are personally branded for the club. 

On this evening, they defeated a Hemel Hempstead side (managed by ex Dover icon Sammy Moore and featuring a itinerary of former Whites players) with two first half goals. The second one was stunning curling effort from 25 yards. All-in-all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening of soccer.