Match day

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Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28
19:45

Match day

Team logo
Tilehurst Panthers LFC (H)
Thu Mar 28 19:45
Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League
1st
45pts

Rebels defeated by young Cherries side at Arbour Park

Slough Town

Slough Town

0
AFC Bournemouth U23

AFC Bournemouth U23

2
Trialist, Scrimshaw
Friendly Attendance: 426 Unknown
Premier League AFC Bournemouth’s young side clinched a win at Arbour Park thanks to goals from a trialist and Jake Scrimshaw in the second half, writes Jakub Wojtasik.

Dan Roberts’ 25th minute shot saw Cherries keeper Callum Ward pull off a heroic save to earn himself a clean sheet.

Despite a third home loss, joint manager Jon Underwood was happy with his team’s performance.

It was an entertaining and even first half with both teams creating great opportunities. With 20 minutes played, Bournemouth’s first chance came when the Rebels centre backs were caught out by forward Tyrell Hamilton after their call for offside was waved off. Hamilton went through one-on-one with Jack Turner but the keeper ran out early to stop Hamilton’s shot with his legs.

Five minutes later, Dan Roberts got the 426 fans in attendance to their feet after he released a cracking shot from 20 yards out, but his effort was denied by a fantastic save from the out stretched arms of Ward. Slough looked very strong going forward, creating chances for trialist Matt Briggs and Roberts, but a fantastic performance from Ward left Slough Town frustrated and with nothing to show for their efforts.

Joint managers Jon Underwood and Neil Baker used this friendly to try out a new system with a new formation. The early minutes of the game saw Slough play three at the back, with a strike partnership of Roberts and Manny Williams leaving a five-man midfield, asking wide players Max Worsfold and Warren Harris to help out in defence. Underwood explained this was a chance for his team to try something new, give players a chance in a different role and give everyone good playing time.

“From last season we learnt that our opponents are good at changing systems mid-game, and we want to be more flexible”, Underwood said after the game.

Despite making all six substitutions in the second 45 minutes, Slough tired and were unable to mirror their high press in the second half.

Eventually the visitors took advantage and the opener came from a Bournemouth trialist five minutes into the second half.

Jaidon Anthony played a simple pass through the Slough defence, leaving his teammate with a clear view of Turner’s goal. His sliced shot left Turner frozen as he watched the ball roll across into the corner of his net.

The Cherries’ second came from substitute Jake Scrimshaw after he ran past the Slough defence who were appealing for offside. However Scrimshaw went through to go eye-to-eye with Turner, leaving him alone to successfully score and put the game to bed.

Underwood praised the opponents and said it was a good and challenging game.

“We were tested by a good side. We created just as many chances but weren’t clinical. Our players were tired, and we had to rotate to give everyone minutes”.

Slough will now take a break from Arbour Park and will travel away to face Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday lunchtime.

Slough Town Line up

Jack Turner, Guy Hollis, Max Worsfold, Sam Togwell, Mark Nisbet (c), Lee Togwell, Matt Briggs, Simon Dunn, Dan Roberts, Manny Williams, Warren Harris. Substitutes: George Wells, Matt Lench, Sean Fraser, Ben Harris, Francis Amartey, Joe Grant (all used)

Rebels

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