READING FC Under 23s secured a 3-2 victory against Slough Town in a five-goal thriller at Arbour Park.

Scott Marshall’s young Royals were pushed to the limit by their National League South hosts last Saturday.

But Joel Rollinson netted twice for the visitors including the winner 16 minutes from time.

Reading fielded a side containing ex-England Under 17 World Cup winner Danny Loader, but it was the Rebels who scored first thanks a 35-yard stunner from James Dobson.

The visitors levelled eight minutes later when a corner pinged around the Slough box and rolled over the line despite the best efforts of home defender Josh Jackman to keep it out.

Reading Chronicle:

Action from Reading FC U23s' 3-2 win at Slough Town.

Former Royals youngster Louis Soares threatened to put Slough ahead with a powerful shot that was tipped over by Liam Driscoll.

Both sides made a number of changes at the break and Rebels went close again after the restart, this time Harrison Gilkes – son of Royals coach, Michael – inches away from converting a Chris Flood cross.

However, Gilkes soon made amends when he fired home on the hour after Flood’s initial cross had rebounded off the woodwork.

Reading were quick to equalise again – albeit with a slice of fortune as Rebels keeper Jack Turner allowed Rollinson’s free kick to trickle over the line.

Turner redeemed himself with a sensational save to deny Rollinson soon after, but could do nothing to prevent the same player from racing through before slotting home the winner in the 74th minute.

Flood and Sean Fraser both tested Reading’s second-half keeper, Miles Roberts, in the closing stages, but Royals held on.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading FC U23s overcame Slough Town (yellow) 3-2 at Arbour Park on Saturday.

Rollinson was on target again on Tuesday in a 4-1 win over Cheltenham Town at Hogwood Park. Adam Liddle, Josh Barrett and Tyler Frost also scored.

Royals U23s will send two sides to Ebbsfleet United and Leatherhead on Saturday, July 29 (both 3pm).

Meanwhile, Reading U23s have been drawn in the same group as Sparta Prague, Feyenoord and Leicester City in the Premier League International Cup.

The competition includes 16 Premier League 2 teams against the same number from across Europe. Details of fixtures and venues are yet to be confirmed.