Fleet Town
1
Slough Town
2
Friendly
Slough Town recorded their first win of pre-season with a 2-1 comeback victory over Fleet Town at the Easy As HGV Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts made the brighter start and took the lead after 11 minutes when Alex Macallister curled a free-kick beyond Michael Edegbe. Fleet continued to ask questions during the opening stages, but the Rebels gradually settled and began to impose themselves.
George Vorster came closest to an equaliser midway through the first half, rattling the left-hand post after an excellent flowing move. Alan Julian was then forced into an early change, with Jurij Neretin replacing Joe Morrison shortly before the break as the defender's minutes were carefully managed.
Slough deservedly drew level in first-half stoppage time. Louis Walsh nodded the ball into the path of Ruben Shakpoke, who smashed an emphatic finish into the bottom-right corner. It was the striker's second goal of pre-season, moving him onto the scoresheet for the second time in as many appearances.
Godlove Oppong and Ethan Mosdell were introduced at half-time, and the Rebels continued to improve after the restart. Walsh was denied in a one-on-one before Slough completed the turnaround on 63 minutes. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas burst into the penalty area and cut the ball back for Godlove Oppong, who calmly swept home from close range.
The goal was Oppong's third of pre-season, extending his lead as the club's top scorer in the summer programme, while Drakes-Thomas collected his second goal involvement in as many matches after also setting up Slough's late consolation against Basingstoke Town on Tuesday.
Further substitutions followed as Julian shared valuable minutes around the squad. Balu Makumbi went close with a volley, Oppong was twice denied as he searched for a second goal, and Johnny Goddard struck the post after good work from Oppong and a trialist as the Rebels finished strongly.
Speaking afterwards, manager Alan Julian admitted he was frustrated by his side's start but delighted with the way they responded.
"What we spoke about really passionately on Thursday night and before the game wasn't there at the start, so that was a shame. But after the first water break we grew and got better, and that growth after half-time just continued."
Julian felt his side deserved a bigger winning margin.
"We created a lot of chances and could have scored maybe one or two more goals. There were a lot of positive steps today."
The manager was also pleased to welcome several players back from injury, including Josh Brooking.
"I want to give a special mention to Josh Brooking. It's great to see him back on a football pitch again. I think you can all see the quality that he has."
The Rebels are back in action on Tuesday evening with a trip to Uxbridge.
The hosts made the brighter start and took the lead after 11 minutes when Alex Macallister curled a free-kick beyond Michael Edegbe. Fleet continued to ask questions during the opening stages, but the Rebels gradually settled and began to impose themselves.
George Vorster came closest to an equaliser midway through the first half, rattling the left-hand post after an excellent flowing move. Alan Julian was then forced into an early change, with Jurij Neretin replacing Joe Morrison shortly before the break as the defender's minutes were carefully managed.
Slough deservedly drew level in first-half stoppage time. Louis Walsh nodded the ball into the path of Ruben Shakpoke, who smashed an emphatic finish into the bottom-right corner. It was the striker's second goal of pre-season, moving him onto the scoresheet for the second time in as many appearances.
Godlove Oppong and Ethan Mosdell were introduced at half-time, and the Rebels continued to improve after the restart. Walsh was denied in a one-on-one before Slough completed the turnaround on 63 minutes. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas burst into the penalty area and cut the ball back for Godlove Oppong, who calmly swept home from close range.
The goal was Oppong's third of pre-season, extending his lead as the club's top scorer in the summer programme, while Drakes-Thomas collected his second goal involvement in as many matches after also setting up Slough's late consolation against Basingstoke Town on Tuesday.
Further substitutions followed as Julian shared valuable minutes around the squad. Balu Makumbi went close with a volley, Oppong was twice denied as he searched for a second goal, and Johnny Goddard struck the post after good work from Oppong and a trialist as the Rebels finished strongly.
Speaking afterwards, manager Alan Julian admitted he was frustrated by his side's start but delighted with the way they responded.
"What we spoke about really passionately on Thursday night and before the game wasn't there at the start, so that was a shame. But after the first water break we grew and got better, and that growth after half-time just continued."
Julian felt his side deserved a bigger winning margin.
"We created a lot of chances and could have scored maybe one or two more goals. There were a lot of positive steps today."
The manager was also pleased to welcome several players back from injury, including Josh Brooking.
"I want to give a special mention to Josh Brooking. It's great to see him back on a football pitch again. I think you can all see the quality that he has."
The Rebels are back in action on Tuesday evening with a trip to Uxbridge.
Slough Town Line up
Full squad: Josh Brooking, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Michael Edegbe, Johnny Goddard, Arthur Gregory, Latrell Humphrey-Ewers, Balu Makumbi, Ethan Mosdell, Jared Myers, Jurij Neretin, Brian Nelson, Godlove Oppong, Keenan Quansah, Dan Roth, Ruben Shakpoke, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, George Vorster, Louis Walsh.