Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Slimbridge 1 Larkhall Athletic 5

WITH results elsewhere going their way, Slimbridge continue to inch towards safety despite a bad home beating by Larkhall Athletic on Saturday.

They are now two points away from mathematically confirming their third season at Southern League level - a win over AFC Totton on Wednesday at Thornhill Park will be sufficient, but the crucial point in this game revolved around four eventful minutes on the half hour mark.

After the visitors had taken the lead after just 45 second through Greg Peel, two further Larkhall goals in a four minute spell, combined with two yellow cards in the same period for Ryan Thwaite gave the Swans a mountain to climb.

An impressive Larkhall side made sure that there was not to be a great comeback, despite Brad Martin reducing the deficit just after half time, and two goals in the last fifteen minutes as the Swans' ten men tired sealed a victory for the visitors that was in the end as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

With last week’s Man of the Match Nick Grimes out due to concussion, and Rich Thwaite unavailalable, the Swans started without a recognised centre half in their back four, and Larkhall took advantage in the first minute of the game.

Lark’s Man of the Match Joe Raynes was allowed far too much space on a mazy run at the Swans defence, and although Marcus Beauchamp beat away his effort, the ball fell to Greg Peel who made no mistake from close in to put the visitors ahead.

The Larks had the advantage in the first period of a howling gale behind them in the first half which was making things difficult for both sides, and it took until the 25th minute for Slimbridge to produce their first decent effort on goal - Lee Smith’s effort catching a bobble of the bumpy pitch and nearly deceiving Larks’ Keeper Shaun Semmens, but he reacted well and made the stop.

Three minutes later, Larkhall got their second, when Raynes was again allowed too much room in the box, and he drilled the ball past Beauchamp to double the advantage.

Things went from bad to worse for the Swans two minutes later, when Ryan Thwaite was penalised for a challenge and Referee Richard Gardener awarded a penalty to the visitors, neatly despatched by Jamie Lyons. Thwaite picked up a yellow card for his challenge.

It took only two more minutes for Thwaite to be penalised again, picking up another yellow, and the Swans were down to ten men for the last hour of the game.

After the break, the Swans came out with the wind now behind them, and with a much greater sense of purpose, and it seemed like an unlikely comeback may just be on the cards as they reduced the deficit just three minutes into the second period - Brad Martin heading home Adam Mace’s free kick to give the home side some hope.

With momentum now behind them, Slimbridge began to create some good chances - Lyon’s made a good clearance from Lee Smith’s goalbound effort, Joe Stokes had a header saved by Semmens, Martin was again just wide with a header, and Semmens pulled off an impressive point blank save from Smith as Slimbridge fought to get themselves back in the game.

However, having survived the onslaught, and with the ten men of Slimbridge tiring, two goals picked off the home side and secured the points for the Larks.

On 73 minutes, Reauchamp brought down Dan Restorick as the Larks man attempted to round him, and Lyons converted the spot kick for his second of the game.

Four minutes later, a Larkhall break saw Joe Tumelty through on goal, and his clinical finish past Beauchamp capped a bad day at the office for the Swans.

Slimbridge host AFC Totton at Thornhill Park on Wednesday (7.45pm) before they make the long trip to Devon to face Barnstaple Town next Saturday (April 1st, 3.00pm).

Team: Beauchamp, Ward, Mace, Turl, Ryan Thwaite, Twyman, Smith, Stokes, Jamie Martin (Turner 58), Brad Martin (Lewis 77), Thomas Supporters Man of the Match: Marley Thomas