Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Slimbridge 2 AFC Totton 0

TWO first half goals in two minutes saw Slimbridge leapfrog Totton in the table, and mathematically confirm their safety, securing a third season at Southern League level at Thornhill Park on Wednesday evening.

The result effectively relegated Wantage Town, who will join Bridgwater Town in dropping out of the League unless they win at Champions Hereford on Saturday and pick up maximum points from the rest of their games this season.

The first period of the game flowed from end to end, with Marley Thomas and Joe Stokes looking particularly dangerous for the home side early on. Totton, played their part though, and Sam Roberts and Alfy Whittingham were both off target in an entertaining opening ten minutes.

Jack Twyman went close for the home side on 21 minutes, when his header from Thomas’ cross was just off target, while Curtis Young was wide with an effort for the Stags just before the half hour mark.

The Swans then struck with two quick goals to take control of the game - firstly, a superb run from Adam Mace saw him cause problems down the Totton left flank, and his cross was steered home by Jack Twyman to put the home side ahead.

Two minutes later, Mace was left in far too much on the edge of the Totton box, and he drilled the ball across Keeper Patrick O’Flaherty and into the far corner to double the advantage for the Swans.

Slimbridge lost the influential Stokes to a hamstring injury at half time, and he was replaced by Nathan Payne.

The Swans dominated the second period to a large extent, as they pressed for the third goal that would have sealed the deal, but Twyman, and then Thomas on two occasions were unable to deliver the killer blow.

Totton still looked dangerous going forward and their best chance of the game probably came with 20 minutes remaining, when Curtis Young put the ball over the bar when well placed, and could well have put the game back into the melting pot.

But Slimbridge held firm, and with a makeshift back four, superbly marshalled by Brad Martin and Ryan Thwaite, all Totton attacks were seen off.

With five minutes remaining, Price’s great cross was met by a an equally good header from Jamie Martin, but his effort was just off target.

After six minutes of stoppage time played by Referee Simon Shaw, the final whistle saw scenes of great celebration among the home players and fans, as their survival was mathematically confirmed.

Slimbridge travel to Devon on Saturday to play Barnstaple Town (3.00pm), before returning to Thornhill Park the following Saturday (April 8th, 3.00pm) to host Bideford FC.

Team: Beauchamp, Turl, Prictor, Ryan Thwaite, Brad Martin, Turner, Twyman, Stokes (Payne 45), Smith, Mace (Lewis 70), Thomas (Jamie Martin 75)

Supporters Man of the Match: Marley Thomas