Wealdstone 0 – 1 Slough Town
Wealdstone0 - 1
Slough TownWealdstone fell to a 1-0 defeat to National League South side Slough Town at Grosvenor Vale in the final game of pre-season, with Jack McKnight’s penalty separating the two sides.
Connor Smith wore the captain’s armband and had the Stones’ first chance of the first half 20 minutes in after he intercepted a ball in the middle, skipped past Sam Togwell but then bounced his effort wide. Trialist U then went close for the Stones a few minutes later, swerving a 20-yard free kick round the wall but just wide of the post with Jack Turner planted to the floor.
The best chance of the first half fell to Trialist W after he intercepted at the half way line and then smashed the ball toward goal from 25 yards out, it smashed off the crossbar and then ricocheted off of the diving Turner’s back for a corner.
The visitors then rallied before half time with Josh Jackman playing a one-on-one straight at Harry Isted and then Togwell heading over from close range in the last action of the half.
Slough made a host of changes at half time and they had an instant impact. Ada Okorongheye played in Warren Harris who was brought down by Jack Cawley. McKnight converted the 48th minute penalty, sending Isted the wrong way.
Okorongheye proved to be a handful for the Stones defence and Isted had to be alert to tip his effort round the post after he volleyed a McKnight flick on toward goal. Trialist T then made some defensive heroics after some pinball in the Stones area from a Slough corner, he got a crucial block on Togwell’s effort to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
On the hour mark, the National League South champions then introduced a bulk of the championship-winning regulars from last season but they couldn’t make their mark on the game and the Rebels held out to gain an away win.
WEALDSTONE: Isted, Williams, Wishart (Mendy, 61), Charles, Trialist T, Cawley, Trialist (Trialist, 79), Smith (Green, 61), Hughes (Emmanuel, 46), Trialist W (Parish, 61), Trialist U (Lewis, 61). Unused subs: Everett, Askey.
SLOUGH TOWN: Turner, Jackman, Lomas, S. Togwell (L. Togwell, 61), Bird, Kuhl (Worsfold, 46), Fraser (McKnight, 46), Hodges (Trialist, 46), Lench, W. Harris, B. Harris (Okorogheye, 46).
Report by Chris Woods
Adam Williams Match pics HERE