Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Bideford 1 Slimbridge 0

SLIMBRIDGE returned from one of their longer trips of the season pointless, and their bad run of form continues, but it could have been different had they had the rub of the green on a couple of occasions -

Adam Mace’s rare penalty miss could have put the visitors back in the frame after Billy Tucker’s goal that ultimately proved decisive, and the Swans still could have nicked a point in stoppage time, when Rich Thwaite’s effort went agonisingly wide, but it was not to be.

Nick Grimes went close in the first minute as the visitors pressed straight from the kick off, after good work by Marley Thomas, but his effort was wide, before Mace and Jack Twyman both had efforts off target.

What turned out to be the decisive goal came on 14 minutes, when Billy Tucker got on the end of Sean Downing’s through ball to convert, and Kevin Squire should have doubled the advantage a couple of minutes later, but his shot was too high.

Eight minutes after the goal, the Swans were awarded a penalty when Jack Twyman’s shot was blocked by a Bideford hand, but Mace’s effort was saved by Keeper Joe Moore to maintain the home side’s advantage.

The Swans continued to press after the break. and Marley Thomas was unlucky, slipping just as he was about to shoot, but Slimbridge struggled to create too many opportunities.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Dean Turner’s cross saw Rich Thwaite somehow miss from close range, as the hosts hung on to record the victory.

The Swans are back at Thornhill Park on Saturday, when third placed Tiverton Town come to Gloucestershire, continuing a very tough run of games for new Manager Freddy Ward and his men.

Ticket sales for the club’s first all-ticket game against Hereford on February 4 have already ensured the Swans’ record attendance will be broken on the day, and all supporters are reminded that no tickets will be available on the day of the game.

Team: Kowalski, Turl, Ryan Thwaite, Grimes, Rich Thwaite, Turner, Smith, Twyman, Mace (Stokes 66), Martin, Thomas (Cant 72) Supporters Man of the match; Nick Grimes