FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One West: Winterbourne United 0 Slimbridge 3 (From Gazette Series)

FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One West: Winterbourne United 0 Slimbridge 3

10:30am Tuesday 24th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A BRACE of goals from returning Slimbridge old boy Joe Tustain stole the headlines from new Winterbourne signing Bruce Grobbelaar in this derby.

Former Liverpool star Grobbelaar is set to play for Winterbourne in a one-off game against Patchway on December 5, but that was put aside as Slimbridge regained top spot ahead of Purton, who were involved in Wiltshire Senior Cup action.

The appalling conditions proved the dominant factor for both sides during a contest which contained few chances and little goalmouth action.

The Swans' main threat early on came from Ian Henry, who caused all sorts of problems with his runs from midfield in the first half, and he shot wide when presented with a glorious chance and just keeper Court to beat after three minutes.

Winterbourne created their own chances, the best being a header over the bar from Chris Isles, after Jamie Inch lost possession to Sam Vile. Winterbourne winger James Mainstone was making life difficult for Swans' full back Leon Sterling, but neither side could make the breakthrough as the ball either held up in the rain or skidded off the soaked surface in what amounted to lottery conditiions.

Central defenders Jamie Inch and Richard Workman were working particularly well together in repelling the Winterbourne attacks.

The Swans slowly began to gain the upper hand. On 36 minutes, they had a goal disallowed when a shot from Will Wellon was fumbled by Court and the loose ball was turned in by Marvyn Roberts, who was ruled offside.

Seven minutes later, a corner led to a goalmouth scramble, with Tustain driving the ball home for his first goal since his return to Wisloe Road. Winterbourne felt there may have been an element of handball in the build up, however referee Cobby waved aside the protests.

As conditions worsened even further during the second half, the Swans continued to press and their second goal came early. A Paul Carter cross on 54 minutes was missed by Tustain but turned into his own net by unfortunate Winterbourne skipper Kirk Waldron as he slid in to try and clear. Tustain notched his second, courtesy of a deflected free kick from 25 yards as the game approached the hour mark.

Slimbridge had a chance to increase their lead with five minutes remaining - Karl Palmer slipped the offside trap to lob the keeper and strike the Winterbourne post, but the damage had already been done, and the Swans played out a deserved victory.

Next Saturday, the Swans travel to Finchampstead for a Hellenic League cup fixture. The game kicks off at 1.45pm.