Thomas prevails in shoot-out drama (From Gazette Series)

Thomas prevails in shoot-out drama

GFA Challenge Trophy Final Bitton 1 Slimbridge 1 (After extra-time - Slimbridge won 4-3 on penalties)

SLIMBRIDGE won their second piece of silverware of the season courtesy of two penalty shoot-out saves from goalkeeper Adam Thomas on Tuesday evening.

The Wisloe Road side had taken a half-time lead through Fred Ward but were pegged back in added-on time by a Dean Griffiths free-kick.

Extra-time could not split the sides but, in an electric atmosphere, Slimbridge held their nerve the better to clinch the trophy for the second time in three seasons.

An even first half saw both attacks living off scraps as defences prevailed.

That was until the 42nd minute when a long diagonal Allton Axton free-kick into the Bitton area saw Robbie Colwell flick towards goal, where custodian Simon Crawford parried out for Ward to head back into the net to give Slimbridge the advantage at half-time.

After the break, Slimbridge looked the most likely to score again with smooth operating on the flanks by Steve Badham and Ward pinning back Bitton.

Time and again, stout defending from Bitton denied Slimbridge a second goal with only an occasional sortie down the other end causing any unease in the Hellenic League side's defence, with Griffiths' pace needing special attention, duly given for the most part by a particularly aware James Cole.

Badham and Colwell both went close to getting a second Slimbridge goal, having goalbound efforts scrambled off the line.

Ward's header from a Badham cross took one bounce and hit the post with Crawford beaten and then Badham shaved the bar from a repelled Joe Tustain effort.

Bitton kept working hard and when Luke Davidson was brought down on the edge of the Slimbridge area in added-on time, Griffiths curled the free-kick over the wall and into the net via the gloves of Thomas, for a sensational last-gasp equaliser.

Extra-time produced no more goals with only one effort from each side that one could say might have won the match on another day.

Davidson brought Thomas to his knees with a low drive for Bitton, while a Mike Green free-kick was headed off the Bitton line and Ashley Thomas prodded the ball wide.

Slimbridge, on the whole, should have consolidated a win with something to spare over the whole two hours played, but they did not and so it was down to a dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Bitton went first and after two successful penalties apiece, Thomas saved dramatically from Jon McAlindon. Skipper Leon Sterling then put Slimbridge in the driving seat.

One more successful spot-kick each meant Neil Rosslee had to net for Bitton otherwise the game was over. Thomas anticipated Rosslee's effort well, clawing it away and running half the length of the field before being swamped by his teammates.

Slimbridge had prevailed and the 64th and final game of their season had provided another trophy.

It is amazing that the same two competitions were won in the successful season of 2003/04, the GFA Trophy and the Hellenic Floodlit Cup.

With a final fifth place attained in the Hellenic Premier Division and a decent run to the third round proper of the FA Vase, manager Doug Foxwell was pleased with the success of his first season in charge at Wisloe Road.

Slimbridge: Adam Thomas, L Sterling, Ashley Thomas, Mike Green, J Cole, A Axton, E Ward, J Meadows, J Tustain (W Morford 87), R Colwell, S Badham. Goals: Ward (42).