Hungerford Town 1 Slimbridge 1

SLIMBRIDGE extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games with a creditable 1-1 draw in the Hellenic League Premier Division at Hungerford Town with a 15th minute strike from Craig Cole that was answered in the 47th minute with an equally good goal from Marc Green.

Town were first on the attack and Fred Ward came to the visitors rescue in the first minute by heading an in-swinging corner off the link. However, this early pressure ebbed away and Slimbridge took the lead when Andy Pritchett put Ward away down the right, who cut in and pushed the ball into the path of Cole who hit a low shot from just inside the area that beat a diving Steve Hale to nestle inside the far post.

Ashley Thomas then got a flick on from a Steve Badham corner that was headed away from under the Town crossbar and moment later Rich Moore set up Badham to send a drive whistling past a post.

Not to be outdone, at the other end, Andy Philpott miss-hit his shot from some ten yards after a sweeping move down the right flank nearly caught the visitors out, Ryan Chandler being relieved to gather. Then Jon Embling had to react quickly to cut out a dangerous cross, but was forced to concede a corner in doing so.

Defences were generally on top as the first half came to a close but not before a horrible mix up in the Town goal area nearly gifted the visitors another goal, but the ball was hacked away at the third attempt with flying bodies everywhere.

Two minutes into the second half and Town drew level when the visitors defence backed off speedy forward Marc Green, who hit a good shot wide of Chandler after a mesmeric run and quick footwork had fashioned an opening. Then followed a determined spell of attacking from Slimbridge as Moore had a shot turned round a post and both Adam Paul and Pritchett in turn had efforts blocked on the line.

Town eventually broke out and catching the Slimbridge defence pushing too far forward Shaun Thorpe was hauled down some 25 yards out. Thorpe got up to take the free kick himself and saw a low drive just graze the far post with Chandler scrambling.

This was the signal for Slimbridge to absorb some pressure but good covering reduced the Hungerford attack to speculative shooting from distance which did not unduly trouble Chandler.

From a booming clearance by Chandler, Cole caught the home defence napping and his run on goal ended when his shot did not test Hale.

In the later stages, Marc Thomas emerged from the dug out on his return from injury and very nearly snatched a winner with three minutes left on the clock when a ball from Cole teed him up but his close range chip went straight against the outstretched Hale and after a goalmouth melee the ball was finally cleared. As the game drifted into added on time both sides appeared to protect the point that was theirs and not overstretch their resources in looking for a late winner.

After the match Slimbridge manager Doug Gray was upbeat abut the result saying: "It extends our run which is good and it was a highly respectable point to gain. Hungerford will not drop many points at home as their record this season shows. After eight of the last nine games have been away, I'm looking for some good home form in the next few games".

Team: R Chandler, L Sterling, J Embling, A Pritchett, A Thomas, A Paul, (M Thomas 72), E Ward, R Casey, R Moore, C Cole, S Badham. Subs not used: M Casey, K Johnstone.

Slimbridge are in action tomorrow (Saturday, October 18) against old rivals Chipping Norton Town, their fellow promoted club, at Wisloe Road. Kick off 3pm. In their last meeting at Chipping Norton, Slimbridge won 2-1 back in ?August in the pre-season Brian Wells Cup Final, but in all truth with league points at stake this is likely to be a much different affair. Then on Tuesday (Oct. 21) Slimbridge entertain Tuffley Rovers (kick off 7.30pm) in another Premier League game.

Slimbridge lottery draw, week ending October 4: two, three and 23. One winner receives £750. end