Slough Town
2
Dobson (19), Gilkes (60)
Reading
3
Friendly
Attendance: 366
James Dobson
National League South newcomers Slough fell to a narrow defeat against a Reading Under 23 side which included England’s Under 17 World Cup winner Danny Loader.
Slough named an 18-man squad including Nathan Smart and Ben Harris, who missed the win against Met Police on Tuesday, and were only missing Warren Harris, Alan Inns and Matt Day.
Ben Harris partnered Perry Coles in attack for the first half, and the latter went close around the quarter hour mark. Then, Harris fired just wide after being played in by Coles.
James Dobson has a penchant for the spectacular and, after two unsuccessful attempts from free kicks, he gave the Rebels the lead from fully 35 yards on 19 minutes.
Reading equalised eight minutes later with Slough’s Josh Jackman unable to clear off the line after the ball bounced around in the box following a corner.
Louie Soares went close late in the first half but saw his shot palmed over the bar by Reading keeper Liam Driscoll.
Both sides made several changes at the break and early in the second period, Chris Flood put in a cross which Harrison Gilkes narrowly failed to connect with.
But Gilkes was on target on the hour mark, firing in after a bit of a scramble in the box, with Flood's initial cross hitting the frame of the goal. Manny Williams and Flood combined to keep the chance alive and the Rebels winger made sure.
Again Reading fought back quickly, and levelled with a moment goalkeeper Jack Turner will want to forget - he fumbled Joel Rollinson’s free kick and was unable to scramble back to keep the ball out.
Turner redeemed himself with a super save to deny Rollinson but was unable to prevent the same player netting the winning goal after he was played clean through on 74 minutes.
Slough kept pressing in search of an equaliser, with Flood and Sean Fraser testing Reading's second half goalkeeper Miles Roberts.
Next up for the Rebels is another match at Arbour Park on Tuesday evening, with Kingstonian the visitors.
Attendance: 366
Slough named an 18-man squad including Nathan Smart and Ben Harris, who missed the win against Met Police on Tuesday, and were only missing Warren Harris, Alan Inns and Matt Day.
Ben Harris partnered Perry Coles in attack for the first half, and the latter went close around the quarter hour mark. Then, Harris fired just wide after being played in by Coles.
James Dobson has a penchant for the spectacular and, after two unsuccessful attempts from free kicks, he gave the Rebels the lead from fully 35 yards on 19 minutes.
Reading equalised eight minutes later with Slough’s Josh Jackman unable to clear off the line after the ball bounced around in the box following a corner.
Louie Soares went close late in the first half but saw his shot palmed over the bar by Reading keeper Liam Driscoll.
Both sides made several changes at the break and early in the second period, Chris Flood put in a cross which Harrison Gilkes narrowly failed to connect with.
But Gilkes was on target on the hour mark, firing in after a bit of a scramble in the box, with Flood's initial cross hitting the frame of the goal. Manny Williams and Flood combined to keep the chance alive and the Rebels winger made sure.
Again Reading fought back quickly, and levelled with a moment goalkeeper Jack Turner will want to forget - he fumbled Joel Rollinson’s free kick and was unable to scramble back to keep the ball out.
Turner redeemed himself with a super save to deny Rollinson but was unable to prevent the same player netting the winning goal after he was played clean through on 74 minutes.
Slough kept pressing in search of an equaliser, with Flood and Sean Fraser testing Reading's second half goalkeeper Miles Roberts.
Next up for the Rebels is another match at Arbour Park on Tuesday evening, with Kingstonian the visitors.
Attendance: 366
Slough Town Line up
Jack Turner, Nathan Smart, Josh Jackman, Sam Togwell, Mark Nisbet, Lee Togwell, James Dobson, Simon Dunn, Ben Harris, Perry Coles, Louie Soares. Substitutes (all used): Sean Fraser, George Wells, Guy Hollis, Scott Davies, Harrison Gilkes, Chris Flood, Manny Williams.