LEE BARNEY believes he was destined to score the first-ever Slough Town goal at Arbour Park.

Hayes & Yeading United striker Lloyd Macklin was first to find the back of the net, but Slough recovered to win the homecoming match 2-1 with both Barney and James Dobson on the scoresheet.

Barney scored the final goal at Holloways Park last season, and the last at Beaconsfield before the return to the borough in a 3-0 win against St Ives Town.

The Rebels forward backed himself to net the historic goal at Arbour Park, though he admits he did not actually see the ball go in.

“It’s all a blur really,” Barney told the Observer. “I got played in, held off a defender and the ball got stuck under my feet. I just hit it and heard everyone scream so knew it was in there. I didn’t see the ball go in so it was good.

“I said before the game I would score first so it was just fate for me to get the first goal really.

“It was unreal to score and I was buzzing for all the fans. Everyone was so excited. It was a good start and a good atmosphere.

“Obviously it was a big event and the managers have been great. They’ve really been up for it and so have the boys.”

He added: “In the first-half I thought we played a lot better football than them, but the second was just a bit of hit-and-hope really.

“We could have had a few more goals in the first-half but their keeper kept them in it to be fair.

“Obviously they had chances as well and looked alright in the second half, but they did not do enough and good teams grind out results.”

Commenting on the new stadium, Barney said: “It’s really good. The stands are great and I’m looking forward to it being finished.

“We’ve trained on the 3G pitch and it’s going to take a lot of getting used to, but everything has been going well.”