FA Trophy Preliminary Round

Slimbridge 1 Swindon Supermarine 3

SLIMBRIDGE went out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, with Supermarine benefitting from two pieces of luck to take control of the game with goals either side of half time.

Sean Lawson reduced the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, but a third Marine goal sealed the tie for the visitors.

Slimbridge still had chances to pull the game back, but Lawson’s second was disallowed for offside, and Referee Scott Robertson turned down what looked like a clear penalty for the home side in the last ten minutes.

With new signings Lee Smith (who also assumed the captain’s armband) and Mike Oliver both making their debuts for the Swans, the first half hour of the game was evenly matched - Johnny Cant had the best opportunity for the hosts, when his mazy run saw him beat four defenders before Marine Keeper Connor Johns made a good save from his effort.

At the other end, Josh Parson had an effort ruled out for offside, before Marine took the lead in controversial circumstances. Marine were breaking down the left flank, when Sam Turl was hauled to the ground as he went in to try and challenge. The Referee saw nothing wrong, and as play developed, then penalised Rich Thwaite for his tackle on Callum Parsons to award a penalty to the visitors. Brad Hooper stepped up to convert the spot kick, to put Marine ahead at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Marine doubled their advantage when Josh Parsons’ effort took a massive deflection to loop high over Adrian Kowalski for the second of the afternoon.

Slimbridge reduced the deficit on 76 minutes, when Sean Lawson neatly finished off a good through ball from Lee Smith, before Marine recorded their third with ten minutes remaining, when George Reid was allowed too much space in the box to head home a free kick.

Lawson thought he had scored his second two minutes from time, only to see his effort ruled out for offside, and then what looked a cast iron penalty for handball in the Marine box on 90 minutes also left the officials unmoved, and Marine played out time to record the victory, with Callum Parsons effort bringing a good stop from Kowalksi as time ran down.

Slimbridge return to League action on Tuesday when they make the short trip to David Mehew’s Mangotsfield United side (7.45pm), before hosting Salisbury at Thornhill Park next Saturday (3.00pm) Team: Kowalski, Turl, Mace, Oliver, Rich Thwaite, Turner (Lawson 55), Twyman, Haskayne, Smith, Martin (Thomas 66), Cant (Ward 74) Supporters Man of the Match: Archie H