Chatham Town secured a narrow victory over Slough Town with a 1-0 win in the FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying on Saturday evening. The match took place at Slough's home ground on 19 September 2026, where the visitors held firm to book their place in the next round. It was a result that reflected the visitors' recent improvement after a difficult start to their campaign.
Chatham showed resilience throughout the contest, saw the game out despite pressure from a Slough side desperate for progress. The visitors have been building momentum of late, and this victory extended that sense of growing confidence. They had nothing to lose going into this tie, and played accordingly with composure.
Slough's recent form has been inconsistent, with mixed results across their last five fixtures. They had beaten Oxford City 2-1 and drawn 2-2 with Chatham earlier, but also suffered heavy defeats to Waldstone and Basingstoke. The hosts will be disappointed to go out, having held on grimly for much of the match before the decisive moment arrived.
Chatham's run of results tells a different story. After losses to Maidstone, Margate and Hern Bay, their 4-0 demolition of Igham Town suggested a side finding their feet. That draw at Slough in July had ended level, but this time the away end never stopped believing they could take something from the trip.
The result means Chatham progresses in the competition while Slough's cup hopes come to an end. Both teams have now played each other twice in quick succession, with the second encounter going the way of the visitors. One mistake ends it in these cup ties, and Slough paid for theirs at the crucial moment.
