Slater: Town defeat a blessing in disguise

Shakila Barabhuiya • Published 25 Aug 2010 17:30 0 Comments

READING Town manager Roddy Slater believes Tuesday night’s 4-2 defeat to Kidlington was a blessing in disguise.

It was Slater’s first taste of defeat in the Hellenic Premier Division against a side fast becoming their bogey team.

The Oxfordshire side ended Town’s long unbeaten run last season and have done the same this time round leaving Reading in third place following Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fairford Town.

Barry Elmore had a hand in all three goals, scoring one and setting up two. Marcus Richardson opened the scoring and Elmore made it 2-0 with a tremendous free-kick.

Danny Seaward got the third by heading in Elmore’s corner before Fairford’s Jack William scored a second-half consolation.

In Tuesday’s game Town went behind to a Danny Mason header but fought back with goals either side of the break before conceding three goals in the last half hour of the match.

A superb Barry Elmore strike in the 42nd minute drew them level and then Richardson drilled home shortly after the re-start to make it 2-1 and get Town off to the perfect start.

Town looked confident after taking the lead but were unable to build on that, allowing Kidlington to equalise in the 61st minute thanks to Jimmy Deabill.

The visitors continued to press and exposed Town’s defensive frailties with two further headed goals from Mark Flanagan and Brad Chalmers with less than 20 minutes to go.

Town boss Slater said it was not a bad performance but called it an ‘eye-opener’ and a good experience for his team.

“I think the defeat was a blessing. It showed us the strength of this league. This is what we have to deal with if we want to win the league.”

“They were a big, physical side. I played against them with Henley so I knew what to expect.

“We were probably naive in our defending. We conceded four headed goals which was disappointing because I know we can be strong in those areas.

“It was a lack of concentration and communication. The guys know they let themselves down more than anything.”

A giant Kidlington side played to their strengths and posed a threat throughout with set-pieces and decent crosses into the box.

Slater commented: “They punished us when they needed to and they took their chances.

“Their centre forward made Marcus look small.”

Slater certainly has plenty to think about ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup preliminary tie against Newport Isle of Wight, who dumped out Kidlington in the dying stages of the last round.

The match will be played at Newbury’s Faraday Road due to unavailability of Scours Lane because of Reading Festival.

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