Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Slimbridge 1 Swindon Supermarine 1

SLIMBRIDGE’S great start to the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West continued on Wednesday night continued with a superb draw against high-flying Swindon Supermarine at Thornhill Park.

The win keeps the Swans unbeaten after the first four games of the season, and at the same time, put an end to Marine’s one hundred per cent record.

The significance of the battling display is that Supermarine will surely will be one of the teams contesting the play off spots at the end of the campaign.

And that put Slimbridge, whose first priority is to survive in the division again, up to sixth in the table and equal points to Tiverton Town who are in the fourth play-off spot.

After a goalless first period, notable for an early penalty save from Slimbridge's man of the match Adrian Kowalski, Rich Thwaite put the home side ahead just after the break. Marine top scorer Connor Waldon chipped in a few minutes later to level things up, and both sides had chances to nick the three points, but a draw was a fair result on the night.

The game got off to a sensational start - Adam Mace mistimed a tackle on Supermarine’s Josh Parsons with just three minutes on the clock.

Parson’s stepped up, and placed the ball to Kowalksi’s right - the Swans Keeper tipped the ball onto the post and back out into play, and then reacted well to deflect Parson’s follow up clear, before gathering the ball as it came in again for the third attempt on goal.

Parsons was proving a right handful early doors, and Kowalski made another super stop five minutes later, tipping Parsons’ shot over the bar.

As Marine pressed Joe Shepherd saw a shot deflected wide, and Parsons felt he may have had another spot kick when his whipped in cross was blocked, claiming a handball which was waved away by Referee Richard Gardner.

On 25 minutes, Slimbridge had their best chance of the game, when Sean Lawson was played in by Ed Major, and forced Marine Keeper Connor Johns into a good stop - Jack Twyman’s follow up was cleared off the line as Marine held firm.

A minute later, Johnny Cant was wide with an effort for the home side, and Major saw his effort saved after good work by Lawson.

As the game went towards the half, both sides again went close - Swans Skipper Alex Hoyle had a good effort blocked, and Jack Twyman’s long range effort brought a good save from Johns, while at the other end, Kowalski was equal to an effort from Callum Parsons, leaving the sides level at the break.

The second half began with just as much excitement as the first, with Slimbridge taking the lead two minutes in. Johhny Cant’s run down the left saw him curl in a peach of a cross, and the ball fell to Rich Thwaite, who slammed the ball home from 15 yards out to put the home side ahead.

Cant nearly doubled the advantage a minute later, when Mace and Laswon created a chance half cleared by Johns to Cant 35-odd yards out. Cant attempted to lob the Keeper, only to see his effort drift just the wrong side of the post.

Marine hit back, and on 53 minutes were level - Callum Parsons hit a neat cross to the back post and Waldon was on hand to beat Kowalski at his near post with a header to even things up.

Waldon was close again a minute later, but just couldn’t reach his header from a superb cross from Parsons which went out for a goal kick.

Both sides continued to exchange chances - Lawson and Martin both had opportunities for the hosts, while Connor Thompson and Joe Selman went close for the visitors, but, after 5 minutes minutes of stoppage time, both sides had to settle for a point, a result which probably suited the Swans better than Marine, but was a fair result after an entertaining evening’s football.

Slimbridge move onto FA Cup football at the weekend, when Bedfont Sports come to Thornhill Park for a Preliminary Round tie. The winners of that tie will travel to either Fleet Town in Hampshire, or Yate Town in the next Round on September 3rd.

Team: Kowalksi, Turl, Mace, Hoyle, Rich Thwaite, ward, Twyman, Oldham (Haskayne 63), Lawson, Cant, (Martin 63) Major (Orchard 60) Supporters Man of the Match: Adrian Kowalski