Slough Town
3
Smith (24), Blackman (27, 47)
Carshalton Ath
3
Stevens (12), Bolton (3-2), Dack (3-3)
League
Attendance: 571
Mark Blunden
Garry Bree's reserve side ran away with the Suburban League North title this season, and they showed exactly why on Saturday.
With most of the first team taking a well-earned rest before the League Cup final, Dave Russell drafted in no less than seven second teamers to prove that the next generation of Rebels are more than capable of competing at a higher level.
They began the game in fearsome fashion, with Lay testing Gartrell with a thunderous drive and Blackman rolling just wide of the post after fine work from Blunden, the pick of the bunch with his tireless running and accurate crossing did much to earn a useful point.
Nevertheless, it was Carshalton who drew first blood on 12 minutes, with the inexperienced defence - a little less capable than their attacking counterparts - getting in a huge tangle and allowing Stevens a clear run on Preddie.
Slough drew level on 24 minutes, with the almost forgotten Brett Smith forcing his way through from 20 yards and driving home from six in a fabulous moment.
Within minutes, Garfield Blackman showed why many have been calling for his regular inclusion in the first-team as he volleyed home from Blunden's perfect delivery.
Another good ball from Blunden put Blackman through to hit a hard third goal with two minutes of the second-half played and the Rebels should never have looked back from there.
They did and they paid, as first Bolton and then Dack found Preddie badly exposed by those in front of him. They could even have sealed it, but Bunting's understudy stopped well from Bolton, James and Richards.
All in all, a real reason for hope next time around, if at times a sad reflection of what has gone wrong this time.
With most of the first team taking a well-earned rest before the League Cup final, Dave Russell drafted in no less than seven second teamers to prove that the next generation of Rebels are more than capable of competing at a higher level.
They began the game in fearsome fashion, with Lay testing Gartrell with a thunderous drive and Blackman rolling just wide of the post after fine work from Blunden, the pick of the bunch with his tireless running and accurate crossing did much to earn a useful point.
Nevertheless, it was Carshalton who drew first blood on 12 minutes, with the inexperienced defence - a little less capable than their attacking counterparts - getting in a huge tangle and allowing Stevens a clear run on Preddie.
Slough drew level on 24 minutes, with the almost forgotten Brett Smith forcing his way through from 20 yards and driving home from six in a fabulous moment.
Within minutes, Garfield Blackman showed why many have been calling for his regular inclusion in the first-team as he volleyed home from Blunden's perfect delivery.
Another good ball from Blunden put Blackman through to hit a hard third goal with two minutes of the second-half played and the Rebels should never have looked back from there.
They did and they paid, as first Bolton and then Dack found Preddie badly exposed by those in front of him. They could even have sealed it, but Bunting's understudy stopped well from Bolton, James and Richards.
All in all, a real reason for hope next time around, if at times a sad reflection of what has gone wrong this time.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Delroy Preddie
- 2 Brian Connor
- 3 Danny Nwaokolo 14
- 4 Steve Bateman
- 5 Kevin Payne
- 6 Dave Lay
- 7 Tony Dell
- 8 Mark Watkins 12
- 9 Garfield Blackman
- 10 Mark Blunden
- 11 Brett Smith
Substitutes
- 12 Paul Byrne 8
- 14 Steve Justin 3