Bridgewater troubled over Slimbridge's Green day (From Gazette Series)

Bridgewater troubled over Slimbridge's Green day

FA Vase Second Round Bridgwater Town 0 Slimbridge 1

MATT GREEN'S early second half strike eased the visitors' passage through this FA Vase second round tie at Toolstation Premier side Bridgwater Town.

A tense and even encounter ensued with limited scoring chances for either side.

The match was dominated by the defences and featured some tremendous midfield battling.

Town were quickly on the attack, forcing Adam Thomas to push a low drive from Gary Rice around the post.

Fully 20 minutes passed before home goalkeeper Francisco Ramos was tested, as Robbie Colwell teed up Green, bursting into the area.

On the half hour, Ryan King thought he had put Town ahead but was recalled for an infringement.

At the other end, Mike Green might have done better when brother Matt pulled the ball back but a clear shot drifted over the bar from the edge of the area.

On the half-time whistle, Ashley Thomas just put Matt Green's cross from the by-line wide of a scrambling Ramos, following a quickly taken corner.

The deadlock was broken on 52 minutes with what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Mike Green's free kick from the left drifted over and through a packed area to reach brother Matt, who volleyed spectacularly into the top corner of the net from just inside the area.

Town came back strongly for the next ten minutes but could make no impression on visiting defenders Ashley Thomas and Alton Axton.

The midfield battle then resumed and even a plethora of substitutions from the home side failed to break the mould of the play.

With 15 minutes left, vociferous appeals from the home fans and players alike failed to impress the referee after King went down in the visitors' area.

Town went for broke as the clock wound down but could not create a clear opening and after a long six minutes of added-on time, the final whistle confirmed Slimbridge were in the hat for the third round draw.

For the Wisloe Road side it was a hard fought win against a side that will play a lot worse than this and win.

Slimbridge: Adam Thomas, L Sterling, Ashley Thomas, Matt Green, Mike Green, A Axton, J Cole, J Meadows, W Morford (A Varnam 75), R Colwell, S Badham (P Miller 87). Goal: Matt Green (52).

Slimbridge have again been drawn away from home in the third round of the FA Vase. They will travel to Welwyn Garden City of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. The Wisloe Road side went out at this stage last season.