SLOUGH Town FC made a winning start to their preparations for the new season after a 4-0 victory over Farnborough at Cherrywood Road on Saturday.

The Rebels emerged as comfortable winners and were able to give run-outs to new signings Mark Scott, Nathan Webb, Gary MacDonald and Lewis Putman, as well as trialist Callum Webb.

Captain MacDonald headed Slough into a 13th-minute lead when rising unmarked to nod Jake Parsons’ corner past the helpless Farnborough keeper.

Player-coach Ben Edwards doubled the advantage midway through the first half, running on to a delightful clipped pass from Dave Woozley, with his effort just sneaking in at the near post.

In the second period, new striker Putman was brought down in the box by a clumsy tackle to give Slough a 53rd minute penalty, which Ed Smith dispatched emphatically to make it 3-0.

Smith rounded off the scoring in the final minute, casually walking the ball into the goal after Putman broke clear and saw his shot pushed away by the keeper, but only as far as the lurking striker.

The Rebels travel to Hayes & Yeading tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm ko) and are then away to Whyteleafe this Saturday (3pm).

Midfielder George Short has left the club to play for Winchester City, which is five minutes from his house, this season.

With a lot of competition for places in midfield, it made sense to Short when you consider the travelling he has to do without the guarantee of football.

<strong>Burnham</strong> conceded a goal in each half during a 2-0 friendly defeat to Staines Town at The Gore on Saturday.

Patrick Cox was on the scoresheet in the opening 45 minutes, and Luke Wanadio rounded off a great display with a curing strike from 25-yards.

Burnham travel Harrow Borough this Saturday (3pm).

Dave Mudge has left the club after two months as general manager to concentrate on his business interests.

<strong>Windsor</strong> got the tough challenge they expected when going down 3-0 to National League South club Margate at Stag Meadow on Saturday.

Manager Mick Woodham handed starts to new signings Chris Dean, Adam Turner and Riccardo Cannon.

A quick start from Margate saw then squander early chances, but they soon found themselves ahead as a low cross found Ryan Moss in space for an easy tap in on 16 minutes.

Moss made it 2-0 shortly before half-time, where the visitors would change all players with the exception of keeper Nicky Bull.

Margate kept up the pressure and were almost gifted a third goal when Carl Dennison gave away a penalty, only to redeem himself by tipping Zack Atwood’s spot-kick over the crossbar.

Dennison found himself facing a second penalty after handball by captain Adam Kirby. This time Freddie Lapado stepped up and made sure the ball ended up in the net on 71 minutes.

Windsor welcome Binfield to Stag Meadow this Saturday (3pm).

<strong>Holyport</strong> step up their pre-season preparations with a friendly match away at Eton Wick this Thursday (7.15pm ko). Port are then away to Bedfont Sports on Saturday (3pm).

PICK up a copy of <em>The Observer</em>, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action including our complete pre-season round-up.

FOLLOW <em>The Observer</em> on Twitter at @Observer_sports.

SLOUGH Town FC made a winning start to their preparations for the new season after a 4-0 victory over Farnborough at Cherrywood Road on Saturday.

The Rebels emerged as comfortable winners and were able to give run-outs to new signings Mark Scott, Nathan Webb, Gary MacDonald and Lewis Putman, as well as trialist Callum Webb.

Captain MacDonald headed Slough into a 13th-minute lead when rising unmarked to nod Jake Parsons’ corner past the helpless Farnborough keeper.

Player-coach Ben Edwards doubled the advantage midway through the first half, running on to a delightful clipped pass from Dave Woozley, with his effort just sneaking in at the near post.

In the second period, new striker Putman was brought down in the box by a clumsy tackle to give Slough a 53rd minute penalty, which Ed Smith dispatched emphatically to make it 3-0.

Smith rounded off the scoring in the final minute, casually walking the ball into the goal after Putman broke clear and saw his shot pushed away by the keeper, but only as far as the lurking striker.

The Rebels travel to Hayes & Yeading tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm ko) and are then away to Whyteleafe this Saturday (3pm).

Midfielder George Short has left the club to play for Winchester City, which is five minutes from his house, this season.

With a lot of competition for places in midfield, it made sense to Short when you consider the travelling he has to do without the guarantee of football.

<strong>Burnham</strong> conceded a goal in each half during a 2-0 friendly defeat to Staines Town at The Gore on Saturday.

Patrick Cox was on the scoresheet in the opening 45 minutes, and Luke Wanadio rounded off a great display with a curing strike from 25-yards.

Burnham travel Harrow Borough this Saturday (3pm).

Dave Mudge has left the club after two months as general manager to concentrate on his business interests.

<strong>Windsor</strong> got the tough challenge they expected when going down 3-0 to National League South club Margate at Stag Meadow on Saturday.

Manager Mick Woodham handed starts to new signings Chris Dean, Adam Turner and Riccardo Cannon.

A quick start from Margate saw then squander early chances, but they soon found themselves ahead as a low cross found Ryan Moss in space for an easy tap in on 16 minutes.

Moss made it 2-0 shortly before half-time, where the visitors would change all players with the exception of keeper Nicky Bull.

Margate kept up the pressure and were almost gifted a third goal when Carl Dennison gave away a penalty, only to redeem himself by tipping Zack Atwood’s spot-kick over the crossbar.

Dennison found himself facing a second penalty after handball by captain Adam Kirby. This time Freddie Lapado stepped up and made sure the ball ended up in the net on 71 minutes.

Windsor welcome Binfield to Stag Meadow this Saturday (3pm).

<strong>Holyport</strong> step up their pre-season preparations with a friendly match away at Eton Wick this Thursday (7.15pm ko). Port are then away to Bedfont Sports on Saturday (3pm).

PICK up a copy of <em>The Observer</em>, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action including our complete pre-season round-up.

FOLLOW <em>The Observer</em> on Twitter at @Observer_sports.

PICTURE: New striker Lewis Putman is brought down inside the box by a clumsly tackle to give Slough Town a penalty at Farnborough on Saturday.