Western League Premier Division

Larkhall Athletic 4 Slimbridge 1

IT WAS always going to be a tough ask for Slimbridge at league champions Larkhall on the day the trophy was being presented to the hosts, but they self destructed in the second period after holding their own in the first period and were ultimately well beaten.

Gifting the home side two of their goals, coupled with the dismissal of Callum Brown, meant that Slimbridge had an impossible task after the break, and the home side dutifully picked up their 30th win from 36 league games this season.

It could have been so different though. Larkhall came out of the blocks with purpose, dominating the first period without creating too many chances as the Swans worked hard to close down their opponents.

Steve Bridges went close for the hosts after 17 minutes following good work from Charlie Maddison, and ten minutes before the break, Larkhall had a goal ruled out when Bridges' shot came back off the post to Robert Hobbs, who netted but was ruled offside.

The Swans made a good start to the second period and Jamie Martin was too slow to take opportunity of Fred Ward and Harlie Price's good work, but on 54 minutes, it all started to unravel.

Tyler Sibbick looped a harmless looking header towards goal, and Scott Gearon, in for the injured Dave Evans, fumbled the ball over the line to put Larkhall one up.

Five minutes later, Brown's two footed tackle saw a straight red card from the referee and the Swans were really up against the wall.

Larkhall continued to press, and Scott Lye managed to hit the side netting after good work from Sibbick had sent him clear just before the hour.

Seven minutes later, the lead was doubled when Jason Gardner's cross was swept home by Sibbick.

Two minutes later, it was three – a game of head tennis in the Swans' box saw Ward's misplaced header nodded home by Siddick to record his hat-trick.

Larkhall's third goal in this deadly five-minute spell saw Siddick set up Ben Horan, who drilled the ball past Gearon to put the game away.

Dean Turner's strike after being set up by Adam Mace was no more than a consolation with virtually the last kick of the match as Slimbridge slumped to their second 4-1 setback over Easter.

The Swans make their final away trip of the season on Saturday when they travel to Hallen (3pm) before their final two home games against Larkhall on Wednesday, April 30 (7.45pm) and Bridport on Saturday, May 3.

Slimbridge: Gearon, Brown, Mace, Sterling, Tunnicliff, Ward, Turner, Twyman, Price, Martin, Fahy (Butler 67).

Star man: Dean Turner.