Clarke and Makowski strike late as Rebels edge Basingstoke Town

Tyrique Clarke netted at Basingstoke on Friday evening. Photo: Quency Charles / QCVisuals by QC

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Basingstoke Town 1, Slough Town 2

Slough Town continued their preparations for the new season with a 2-1 win at Basingstoke Town on Friday evening in a match that was organised as a testimonial for former midfielder Simon Dunn.

Dunn represented both clubs with distinction during his playing career and before the game, Dunn and Nathan Smart were welcomed onto the pitch with a guard of honour in recognition of their service for both clubs.

The friendly was played in front of a healthy crowd at the Winklebury Football Contest, and it saw the Rebels rally well in the second half after falling behind in the first half.

Two goals in three second half minutes from Tyrique Clarke and Wiktor Makowski - who are both enjoying productive pre-seasons - earned the Rebels a fourth win from five friendlies so far.

Slough played well enough in the first half without capitalising on their opportunities. New signings Jared Myers and Jordan Greenidge linked up well in attack and looked sharp. Greenidge was denied by a smart save from the Basingstoke keeper after being played in by Myers.

Myers. who netted 28 goals for Bedfont Sports last season, saw another effort deflected just wide of the target while Makowski delivered a teasing ball from the right flank which just evaded the incoming Greenidge at the far post.

Despite bossing the action in the first half, the Rebels fell behind on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot, and fittingly it was their former player Dunn who stepped up to convert.

Moments later he was substituted to warm applause.

Changes at the break saw the Rebels bring on Tyrique Clarke, Henry Ochieng and Noah Hay - replacing Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Trialist A, and Brian Nelson — and they came close to levelling almost immediately when Clarke struck the underside of the crossbar with a half-volley.

The pressure continued to build with Jordan Greenidge forcing the Basingstoke keeper into a good save and Makowski seeing another goalbound effort blocked.

But their persistence was rewarded in the 77th minute when Clarke let fly from around 20 yards with a strike that took a deflection and wrong-footed the keeper.

The friendly was then turned on its head when Anyanwu, back on the pitch after his earlier withdrawal, fooled his marker with a series of stepovers before sliding in a cross that Makowski fired into the net.

Basingstoke might have snatched a late draw with the late chances that fell their way, but Peter Ojemen managed to block a dangerous free kick and Adam Desbois made a fine flying save to ensure the Rebels recorded another victory.

Slough visit Thame United tomorrow evening and will host Southend United at Arbour Park on Tuesday, July 29 (7.45pm kick-off).