Ruben Shakpoke netted the opener for Slough against Dorking Wanderers. Photo: Cameron Webb

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It was a tale of two halves for Slough Town against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday as Steve McKimm’s tenure in charge ultimately got underway with a 3-1 defeat at Arbour Park.

With free entry to the ground to mark this new chapter – as both McKimm took over as boss and the club revealed new investment from Kuwait-based investment group Development Holding Company (DH) – the Rebels were ready to celebrate a fresh start.

Initially things appeared to be going to plan with Ruben Shakpoke running through to stroke them in front in the 15th minute.

GOALLL!!! @sloughtownfc 1-0 @DorkingWDRS RRRUUUBBBBEEEENNNN SSSHHHAAAKKKPPPOOOKKKEEE!!! 15mins #rebels @Shakpoke9 https://t.co/9Y70YoNKWl

— Scott McNeish (@McDscrote) October 24, 2026

The hosts may have added to that advantage with further chances coming their way on the counterattack.

But in the second half, Dorking were clinical when chances came their way and won the game with strikes from George Nikaj (51'), James Mcshane (59') and Josh Barrett (77').

“I thought the first half the boys were really good,” McKimm said in a post-match interview with Connor McNeish for Sloughtownfc.net.

“They did exactly what we asked them to do. They restricted Dorking to two chances in that first half. Nikaj had one at the back post and Killian has saved from Josh Barrett and that was a fantastic save.

“We scored a good goal and then had maybe three counter attacks where we’ve got to do better and we’ll work on that.

“In the second half they had three chances and they score three goals. I think I can only count five or maybe six chances for them in the whole game.

“First half they done exactly what we wanted them to. Second half, we tried and we made a few mistakes and got punished for it. But if we’d got a second goal in the first half, we might have killed the game off, or the confidence would have been there. I can’t knock them for their work rate or endeavour. Yes, the result isn’t there. I’ve not got a magic wand that was going to get us the three points. We’re playing against a full-time side that have been together for a while.

“But the players gave everything for the badge, for the club, for the supporters, all the old cliches. I saw that with my own eyes.

“They’ve got quality in abundance, but then so have we. The difference is that when we made a mistake, they punished us. That’s the be all and end all.”

The Rebels are back in action tomorrow evening (Tuesday) when they make the long trip to Truro City and they’re then back on the road on the opposite side of the country at Maidstone United on Saturday. McKimm won’t have any more time on the training ground before the trip to Truro, however, he’s hoping to implement his principles in the coming weeks and lift the club away from the bottom of the table. Slough are currently bottom and still six points from safety.

“We won’t see the players again until they get on the coach on Tuesday,” he said. “We’ll do the analysis work and give them the information we can. We’ve had four players missing today in Henry (Ochieng), Shay (Spencer) JT and Dennon (Lewis) the new signing. The other three will come back into contention which is good, it gives us more competition.

“We’ll have a game plan to play against Truro, just as we did today. But we’ve also got to manage it a bit better from the sidelines. Because I’m not hanging the players out to dry. We could have made changes a little bit earlier maybe. That’s something we’ll look back on, and I always take the responsibility on my shoulders.

“Truro are in the top seven. Then it’s on to Maidstone who are top of the league. It doesn’t get any easier, but I like the challenges and the players are ready for it. Once we get it clicking with a couple more additions, we’ll be alright.”