Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Slimbridge 0 Bishops Cleeve 2

IT was a bad day at the office for a Swans side that sorely missed Captain Alex Hoyle and Adam Mace, both suspended, however Cleeve adapted to the conditions better and it was difficult to argue with the outcome on a day that Slimbridge failed to register a shot on target in 90 minutes.

The afternoon began with a moving minutes applause for Cameron Hutchinson, with members of Cam’s family and closest friends in attendance prior to Kick Off.

In the first meeting of clubs since 2006, the visitors made the perfect start when they went ahead in the first minute of the game - a shot from Jordan Bryan, who was to torment the Swans left flank all game, fell to Elliott Kennedy a couple of yards out, and he converted to put Cleeve a goal to the good.

Bryan nearly doubled the advantage two minutes later, bringing a good stop from Adam Thomas as Cleeve pressed home their fast start.

Thomas again had to be alert to deal with a long range effort from Aaron Drake with ten minutes on the clock.

As the game settled, the best opportunities for the home side were coming from the running of Sam Babatunde, who was beginning to look dangerous down the Swans right, but chances were slim on the ground for the home side, as they battled wind and rain against them.

With 3 minutes remaining before the break, Cleeve scored their second, when Shane Bumphrey picked off a Rich Thwaite back header before it could reach Thomas.

The Swans’ day took another turn for the worse five minutes into the second period, when Referee Kevin Howick penalised Freddy Ward for a challenge and brandished a second yellow, reducing the home side to ten men.

As Slimbridge reorganised, it took another good stop from Thomas to clear a shot cum cross from under the bar after more good work from Bryan.

The Swans best effort came on 68 minutes, when Twyman and Turner combined well to force a corner, which was cleared to the edge of the Cleeve box. Sam Blackie’s volley, although dipping, was a couple of inches too high.

Although Slimbridge had a couple of late chances, good defending by Cleeve saw out the game for them fairly comfortably.

Slimbridge now face an unenviable 1-2 of the first and second teams in the League - second placed North Leigh come to Wisloe Road on Wednesday, before the Swans travel to leaders Cinderford Town next Saturday.

Team: Thomas, Turl, Brown, Tunnicliff, Rich Thwaite, Ward, Turner (Hill 80), Twyman, Martin, Fahy, Babatunde (Blackie 59) Adam Mace’s Man of The Match: Jack Twyman