Toolstation Western League

Willand Rovers 0 Slimbridge 5

SLIMBRIDGE face an anxious wait to see if they have gained promotion to the Southern League after a resounding away win at Willand Rovers which confirmed third spot in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.
The Swans knew that just one point would be enough but they were certainly not going for a draw, smashing in five goals without reply to register their biggest win of the season.
Now the club await the result of a FA League committee meeting planned for May 14 to see if their application for promotion will be accepted.
Against Willand, the first half was non-descript but the second-half was anything but as the Swans showed why they have done so well this season, finishing with best defensive record in the league, whilst punishing their opponents with the pace of their forward line.
Slimbridge went into the break with a single goal lead thanks to a stunning strike from Sean Lawson, who latched on to a good ball from Paul Fahy and struck a tremendous shot which left Willand keeper Kurtis Parkin clutching at thin air as the ball went into the top corner.
Controversy arose on 53 minutes when Lawson and Fahy combined well to set-up Dean Turner whose shot was deemed to have crossed the line by the referee’s assistant, which upset the home side immensely although their complaints to the match referee fell on deaf ears.
Ten minutes later and the game was put out of Willand’s reach when Jamie Martin forced in a corner kick from Alex Parrott.
The Swans were champing at the bit now as Willand found it difficult to cope with the pace of Fahy and Lawson and it was the latter who made it four nil when Ryan Thwaite’s volley rebounded nicely for Lawson who fired home from 10 yards.
A last minute penalty converted by man of the match Fahy started wild celebrations in the home dressing room.
The victory over Willand Rovers came two days after Slimbridge travelled to Buckland Athletic and came away with a 1-0 victory.
And it was a superb performance from Leon Sterling’s men which was decided by a Paul Fahy penalty, awarded after Buckland’s Simon Laughton handled Leroy Odiero’s goal bound shot on the line, with Laughton sent off as a consequence.
Slimbridge grew in confidence the longer the game went on.
With goalmouth action at a minimum in the first period, the deciding moment came on 61 minutes when Oderio’s 18-yard was handled and Fahy scored.