Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Bishops Cleeve 0 Slimbridge 1

SLIMBRIDGE completed their first Southern League season just as they had started it at Wantage in August - a 1-0 win on the road with an Adam Mace goal securing the points.

The victory took the Swans above their 40 point target for the season, and set them up nicely for Wednesday night, when they travel back to Kayte Lane to meet Cleeve again, this time in the GFA Senior Challenge Trophy Semi Final.

Reflecting on the season after the game, Swans’ Chairman Barry Gay paid tribute to the team on the pitch as well as the backroom staff. ‘I’m delighted with what we have achieved, and very proud of the football club. We didn’t know at the start of the season how we would fare at this level, but to average a point a game, and taking at least a point from more games than not, it was a massive effort by Leon (Sterling), Freddy (Ward) and all the players that they have given us a solid foundation to build on at this higher level.

“I must also mention everyone who has worked so hard behind the scenes, taking on the extra responsibilities and financial commitments required to compete at this level. We can all look forward to another season in the Southern League in August. It’s been a great achievement for us.'

The blustery conditions made things difficult for both sides, and it took a while for the sides to settle. The first 20 minutes saw the better chances fall to the visitors, with Mace, Paul Fahy and Sean Lawson all having good efforts.

Cleeve nearly took the lead on 21 minutes, when Leroy Odiero’s header from Aaron Drake’s free kick eluded everyone in the box, but it rebounded to safely off George Burton’s far post.

The Swans went down the other end, and Mace’s cross set up Lawson in space, but he was ruled offside and the chance was lost.

Cleeve thought they had broken the deadlock on 25 minutes, but Shane Bumphrey’s header was ruled out for another offside decision.

Five minutes later though, the visitors took the lead - Cleeve failed to clear their lines during a goalmouth scramble, and the ball fell to Mace in the six yard box, and he drove the ball past Mitres’ Keeper Mat Wieczorek to put the Swans ahead.

Momentum swung to Slimbridge and they had some good effort to increase the advantage - Brad Martin’s neat turn and shot brought a save from Wieczorek, Lawson made a probing run which resulted in his effort going too high, and Mace had another good effort saved, leaving the Swans ahead at the break.

Cleeve came out of the block for the second period, and Drake’s long range effort brought an acrobatic save from Burton as the home side pressed.

Slimbridge had another opportunity to increase their lead on 52 minutes, when a Wieczorek miscue found Mace, who set up Paul Fahy, but Fahy dragged his effort wide.

Having ridden out the storm, the Swans continued to create opportunities - Freddy Ward’s header was wide, Brad Martin had another header drift the wrong side of the post, and then Alex Hoyle saw his effort too high.

Jamie Martin’s cross on 74 minutes caught the wind and very nearly drifted in at the far post, as the home side began to become frustrated.

With four minutes remaining, Liam Orchard tried his luck with a dipping volley from long range, and was unlucky to see his effort just drift over the bar.

On 88 minutes, Kirk Layton, who had been booked in the first half for handball, came in late on Sam Turl, and was given his marching orders by Referee Craig Taylor for a second yellow card.

The Swans played out the remaining time to hold on for a comfortable victory and pick up their final League points of a successful first season at Southern League level, which saw them end in 18th place in the table, 18 points above the relegation zone.

Team: Burton, Turl, Ry Thwaite (Brown 53), Hoyle, Rich Thwaite, Ward, Mace, Twyman, Fahy (Orchard 76), Brad Martin (Jamie Martin 60), Lawson Supporters Man of the Match: Adam Mace