ELIJAH ADEBAYO has spoken of his delight at marking his Slough Town debut with a first senior hat-trick in the 4-1 FA Trophy win against Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.

Adebayo, 18, has joined Slough on a one-month loan deal from Championship club Fulham and was the difference between the two sides in the first qualifying round tie at Arbour Park.

The forward impressed with his technique and strength as The Rebels beat Bognor, semi-finalists last season, to set up a second qualifying round tie away at Merthyr Town on November 12.

Adebayo told Rebels Radio: “The fans and the lads made me feel at home and it was enjoyable. I was excited at first and it was great.

"My friend plays for Maidenhead so I knew where about Slough was. They’re doing well at the moment, second in the league, so I thought it was a great place to come and score goals.

VIDEO: Elijah Adebalo, on loan from Fulham for a month, scores the first of three goals on his Slough Town debut.

“During the warm-up I was talking to the boys and they were saying the pitch is quite sticky and I would need five or 10 minutes to get used to it.

“But, I got used to it very quickly and it didn’t really bother me to be honest.

“I thought it [the hat-trick] wasn’t going to come at first. I thought to myself I just need one chance, one ball across the box and I will be there, and fortunately for me it did.

“I even asked the referee how long was left and he told me we were into stoppage time. I was like ‘oh, I’ve got to get one now’. Then it came and I’m very happy that it did.”

Adebayo added: “We were a bit hectic in the first five minutes but once we calmed down and got the goal we were pretty much relaxed and in control.

“Bognor then got a man sent off. Some people get laid back but we just kept on going and we deserved the win.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough midfielder James Dobson celebrates his goal – his 12th of the season – in the 4-1 win against Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.

The loanee came close to scoring early on when his shot from a James Dobson free-kick deflected onto the crossbar before Bognor cleared the danger.

The deadlock was broken on 12 minutes as a long throw was knocked down to Adebayo and his powerful finish left Dan Lincoln with no chance.

Dobson doubled the Rebels’ advantage with a fine individual goal mid-way through the first-half. The winger beat two defenders and curled a shot into the far corner from a tight angle.

Bognor were awarded a penalty when the referee spotted an infringement by Dan Hicks. Ollie Pearce sent Mark Scott the wrong way to score from the spot in the 32nd minute.

However, their momentum was broken with a double blow before half-time.

VIDEO: Elijah Adebalo completes his hat-trick in the 4-1 FA Trophy win against Basingstoke Town.

First, Darren Budd was sent off after kicking out at Slough midfielder Lee Togwell, before Adebayo scored with the goal of the game. The striker moved into the box and volleyed a Sean Fraser cross into the top corner from eight yards.

The Rebels were well on top in the second period with Dobson hitting the near post with a thunderbolt of a shot, while Bognor hit the bar.

Man-of-the-match Adebayo secured the win when completing a debut hat-trick in the fourth minute of time added on. Togwell played the ball across goal and the striker swept the ball past Lincoln from eight yards.

Goal scorer Dobson commented: “All the lads are pleased for Elijah getting his first senior hat-trick. Whatever level you play at, when you get that for the first time, it’s a great achievement.

“We’re just trying to make him feel welcome at the moment. I know he’s only here for a month, but if he can add goals and put up good performances for us, then it’s going to be a good help to us.

Slough Town return to action in the Southern Premier Division when promotion rivals Hitchin Town visit Arbour Park this Saturday (3pm).