Slough Town
2
Harris (29), Flood (55)
West Bromwich Albion
1
Roberts (13)
Testimonial
Attendance: 1003
Warren Harris
Not even the pouring rain could dampen the spirits of everyone connected with Slough Town Football Club as the Rebels maintained their unbeaten pre-season campaign with a win over Premier League West Bromwich Albion.
The day and the occasion belonged to Slough's physio Kevin McGoldrick - a man known simply as 'Super Kev' - who has given over 32 years to his beloved club and richly deserved this Testimonial match against the Baggies.
Albion brought a young squad to Arbour Park which included a sprinkling of experience, with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, England Under-17 defender Kane Wilson, Rekeem Harper and Wales Under-19 striker Tyler Roberts all featuring.
Not many could argue with the result, which saw Slough upset the odds, coming from behind to win thanks to goals from Warren Harris and Chris Flood.
There was little to choose between the sides early on. Harris fired over for Slough as a defensive header fell his way, and Roberts saw a fierce shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Brad Wadkins cleared in the goalmouth.
But Albion took the lead on 13 minutes as Roberts got in front of Guy Hollis as the ball was played over the top by Harper, and was able to get enough on his shot to beat Jack Turner, despite the desperate attempts of defenders on the line.
Both sides had spells of pressure as the game moved from end to end, but neither goal was seriously threatened until the 29th minute. Flood held the ball up and played it to Wadkins, who in turn moved it to his left to Harris, who steered a shot into the bottom corner past Myhill.
Brad Wadkins had an effort beaten away and Mark Nisbet half-volleyed over as Slough ended the first half strongly.
Slough made two changes at the break, introducing James Dobson and Manny Williams for Matt Lench and Brad Wadkins. Albion came out of the traps quickly in the second half, and Slough had Turner to thank for keeping the scores level. First he denied the Baggies' trialist striker before turning a stinging shot from Roberts onto the crossbar.
But then Slough went in front on 55 minutes. Myhill saved well from Williams after more fine work from Harris on the right, only for Flood to pounce on the rebound for a tap-in.
And the free-flowing Rebels could have had a third, but Flood's header was saved by Myhill with James Dobson firing over the bar.
Pressure from the home side was incessant at times, but again Turner made a reaction save to keep out Albion's trialist and preserve the advantage, which Slough held onto with relative comfort despite the visitors having spells in possession.
The largest cheer of the day from the 1,003 strong crowd was deservedly kept for Kevin, who jogged onto the pitch with six minutes remaining to treat Williams.
Joint manager Jon Underwood was understandably delighted with the result on a special day for the club.
"During the second half we played some fantastic football, as well as we've played this pre-season. It was nice to do that in Kev's game.
"Kev is a fantastic guy, a gentleman. He's professional about what he does and he's given such service to the club, but doesn't want any of the limelight. Everyone holds him in such regard.
"We were pretty dominant and deserved to win the game. There were five or six players who were a nine out of ten today."
Slough Town: Jack Turner, Josh Jackman, George Wells, Guy Hollis, Mark Nisbet (c), Nathan Webb, Matt Lench (James Dobson), Sean Fraser, Brad Wadkins (Manny Williams), Chris Flood, Warren Harris. Subs not used: Gavin James, Adrian Sear.
Match photos: Gary House Photography
The day and the occasion belonged to Slough's physio Kevin McGoldrick - a man known simply as 'Super Kev' - who has given over 32 years to his beloved club and richly deserved this Testimonial match against the Baggies.
Albion brought a young squad to Arbour Park which included a sprinkling of experience, with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, England Under-17 defender Kane Wilson, Rekeem Harper and Wales Under-19 striker Tyler Roberts all featuring.
Not many could argue with the result, which saw Slough upset the odds, coming from behind to win thanks to goals from Warren Harris and Chris Flood.
There was little to choose between the sides early on. Harris fired over for Slough as a defensive header fell his way, and Roberts saw a fierce shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Brad Wadkins cleared in the goalmouth.
But Albion took the lead on 13 minutes as Roberts got in front of Guy Hollis as the ball was played over the top by Harper, and was able to get enough on his shot to beat Jack Turner, despite the desperate attempts of defenders on the line.
Both sides had spells of pressure as the game moved from end to end, but neither goal was seriously threatened until the 29th minute. Flood held the ball up and played it to Wadkins, who in turn moved it to his left to Harris, who steered a shot into the bottom corner past Myhill.
Brad Wadkins had an effort beaten away and Mark Nisbet half-volleyed over as Slough ended the first half strongly.
Slough made two changes at the break, introducing James Dobson and Manny Williams for Matt Lench and Brad Wadkins. Albion came out of the traps quickly in the second half, and Slough had Turner to thank for keeping the scores level. First he denied the Baggies' trialist striker before turning a stinging shot from Roberts onto the crossbar.
But then Slough went in front on 55 minutes. Myhill saved well from Williams after more fine work from Harris on the right, only for Flood to pounce on the rebound for a tap-in.
And the free-flowing Rebels could have had a third, but Flood's header was saved by Myhill with James Dobson firing over the bar.
Pressure from the home side was incessant at times, but again Turner made a reaction save to keep out Albion's trialist and preserve the advantage, which Slough held onto with relative comfort despite the visitors having spells in possession.
The largest cheer of the day from the 1,003 strong crowd was deservedly kept for Kevin, who jogged onto the pitch with six minutes remaining to treat Williams.
Joint manager Jon Underwood was understandably delighted with the result on a special day for the club.
"During the second half we played some fantastic football, as well as we've played this pre-season. It was nice to do that in Kev's game.
"Kev is a fantastic guy, a gentleman. He's professional about what he does and he's given such service to the club, but doesn't want any of the limelight. Everyone holds him in such regard.
"We were pretty dominant and deserved to win the game. There were five or six players who were a nine out of ten today."
Slough Town: Jack Turner, Josh Jackman, George Wells, Guy Hollis, Mark Nisbet (c), Nathan Webb, Matt Lench (James Dobson), Sean Fraser, Brad Wadkins (Manny Williams), Chris Flood, Warren Harris. Subs not used: Gavin James, Adrian Sear.
Match photos: Gary House Photography
Slough Town Lineup
Substitutes
West Bromwich Albion Lineup
Boaz Myhill, Kane Wilson, Max Melbourne, Alex Bradley (Jack Chambers), Dara O'Shea, Shaun Donnellan (Robert McCourt), Rayhaan Tulloch, Rekeem Harper, Trialist, Tyler Roberts, Tahvon Campbell. Subs not used: Aram Soleman, Jasko Keranovic, Evan Pierce, Callum Morton, Matthew Philips.