Slimbridge 1 Wimborne Town 1

HIGH-flying Wimborne came to Thornhill Park sitting in second spot in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West but a hardworking display from Slimbridge, even more impressive given their FA Cup extra time heroics in midweek, saw both sides share the spoils after an entertaining afternoon.

Slimbridge took the lead in the first half with a Jack Twyman strike, and Wimborne nicked a point with a corner that went straight in with just thirteen minutes remaining.

With Tony and Margaret Thornhill in attendance at the ground that bears their family name, both sides started brightly, playing the ball around nicely, although it was 15 minutes before the first real chance came - Adrian Kowalski in the Swans’ goal making a good stop from Wimborne’s Toby Holmes, who proved a danger to the home side all afternoon.

On the half hour, a sustained period of pressure from Slimbridge saw Jack Twyman, then Archie Haskayne, and then Ed Major threaten the Wimborne goal, but the visitors’ back line held firm.

The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes, when Marley Thomas’ corner found it’s way out to Jack Twyman in the Wimborne and he drilled the ball past Keeper Patrick O’Flanerty to put the home side ahead.

Slimbridge started the second half on the front foot, and Haskayne and Twyman again combined well, with Twyman’s effort being saved two minutes in.

On 55 minutes minutes, Slimbridge had a great opportunity to double their lead when Thomas chased down a sloppy defensive clearance and surged through the Wimborne defence, only to see his effort drift inches the wrong side of the post.

Wimborne continued to look threatening though, and Toby Holmes header which drifted wide on the hour mark meant that the Swans had to remain alert.

Kowalski again made a great stop from James Stokoe on the hour mark, and seven minutes later, made an even better stop from Billy Maybury’s Free Kick to keep the home side in front.

With 13 minutes remaining, the equaliser arrived, when a corner from Luke Holmes somehow found it’s way into the Slimbridge net, with Kowalski unable to keep the ball out.

Slimbridge had a chance to nick all three points in the final minute, when Ed Major’s header from Ryan Thwaite’s cross was wide, but both sides had to settle for a point apiece, a result which sees Slimbridge sitting in tenth place in the table, still unbeaten, with ten points from their first 6 League games.

The Swans continue their FA Cup adventure next Saturday when they travel to Taunton Town for a Second Qualifying Round tie (3.00), and then travel to Bridgwater Town the following Tuesday (20th, 7.45pm)for a replay of the aborted League game from a fortnight ago.

Team: Kowalski, Turl, Mace, Hoyle, Rich Thwaite, Ward (Turner 71), Twyman (Orchard 58), Haskayne, Major, Orchard, (Ryan Thwaite 67) Thomas Supporters Man of the Match: Sam Turl