Slough Town
3
Virginia Water
1
Friendly
Slough Town began their 2025/26 pre-season campaign with a 3-1 home win over Virginia Water, as a mix of senior players, Academy talent, and six trialists kicked off preparations under the Arbour Park sun.
With several first-team regulars still to feature in upcoming fixtures, Scott Davies took the opportunity to assess a youthful and experimental squad, which included players from the club’s Elite Development Squad (EDS) and a number of trialists looking to make their mark.
The Rebels dominated much of the first half, enjoying sustained possession in the Virginia Water half and creating several promising openings. Dan Roth’s early strike was deflected behind for a corner, from which Trialist B headed just wide. Tarik Gidaree looked lively throughout and came closest to opening the scoring when his low drive forced a smart stop from the visiting goalkeeper. Josh Adepoju and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas both had efforts denied in quick succession, with the latter’s follow-up tipped onto the bar in what was Slough’s best chance of the opening period.
Despite creating multiple opportunities, the Rebels went in level at the break with the score still 0-0.
Wholesale changes followed at half time, introducing more Academy prospects and trialists into the mix. The breakthrough came just six minutes into the second half when a short free-kick was powered home from distance by Trialist F, giving Slough a deserved lead.
Virginia Water equalised on 67 minutes with a superb curling effort from outside the area, but it was Slough who would finish the stronger.
Trialist F proved to be the standout performer in the closing stages, firing in a brilliant low strike from range on 84 minutes to restore the Rebels' lead, before playing a key role in the build-up to a third goal in the final minute — calmly slotted home by another trialist after a neat cut-back from the byline.
With several first-team regulars still to feature in upcoming fixtures, Scott Davies took the opportunity to assess a youthful and experimental squad, which included players from the club’s Elite Development Squad (EDS) and a number of trialists looking to make their mark.
The Rebels dominated much of the first half, enjoying sustained possession in the Virginia Water half and creating several promising openings. Dan Roth’s early strike was deflected behind for a corner, from which Trialist B headed just wide. Tarik Gidaree looked lively throughout and came closest to opening the scoring when his low drive forced a smart stop from the visiting goalkeeper. Josh Adepoju and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas both had efforts denied in quick succession, with the latter’s follow-up tipped onto the bar in what was Slough’s best chance of the opening period.
Despite creating multiple opportunities, the Rebels went in level at the break with the score still 0-0.
Wholesale changes followed at half time, introducing more Academy prospects and trialists into the mix. The breakthrough came just six minutes into the second half when a short free-kick was powered home from distance by Trialist F, giving Slough a deserved lead.
Virginia Water equalised on 67 minutes with a superb curling effort from outside the area, but it was Slough who would finish the stronger.
Trialist F proved to be the standout performer in the closing stages, firing in a brilliant low strike from range on 84 minutes to restore the Rebels' lead, before playing a key role in the build-up to a third goal in the final minute — calmly slotted home by another trialist after a neat cut-back from the byline.
Slough Town Line up
Adam Desbois, Kiki Oshilaja, Balu Makumbi, Peter Ojemen, Trialist A, Tyrique Clarke, Dan Roth, Tarik Gidaree, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Josh Adepoju, Trialist B, Ryan North, Noah Hay, Aaron White, Trialist C, Trialist D, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Brian Nelson, Olly Rowan, Trialist E, Dylan Griffen, Trialist F.