Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Wantage Town 2 Slimbridge 0

SLIMBRIDGE are still looking for the victory that will secure their 40 point target, and could have secured the points at Alfredian Park, but wasteful finishing and a couple of goals either side of the break saw Wantage collect the points on a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.

As the game kicked off, it was obvious that the bone hard pitch was going to have an influence on proceedings, and it was the home side, employing a much more direct style of play, who had the better of the early exchanges.

As Slimbridge started to get into the game Lee Smith saw his effort headed off the Wantage line on 15 minutes, and then, after a good passage of play revolving around Sam Turl’s run down the right flank, Adam Mace saw a goalbound effort blocked.

It took 35 minutes for Wantage to have their first effort on goal, but Jack Powell’s effort was well wide.

Against the run of play in the 41st minute, the home side took the lead - Powell chased a long through ball with the Swans back line appealing in vain for an offside decision which never came, and drilled the ball past Marcus Beauchamp to give Wantage the advantage.

Three minutes after the break, Wantage doubled their advantage with their second shot on target - Mark Francis was given far too much space in the Slimbridge box, and finished well to notch the second.

Slimbridge continued to create chances, but were unable to convert a slew of opportunities to reduce the deficit - Dean Turner was too high after he got on the end of Marley Thomas’ cross, and two dangerous Adam Mace free kicks saw Rich Thwaite, and then Smith, again off target with their headers.

Five minutes from time, Charlie Wise was wide with a header on another rare Wantage attack, and there was still time for Jack Twyman, still on the pitch despite turning his ankle as he chased a ball on the rock hard surface, and Mace again to see their efforts drift the wrong side of the Wantage goal.

Slimbridge are back at Thornhill Park on Monday for a local derby with Shortwood United (3.00pm), before finishing their campaign next Saturday with a long trip to Wimborne Town (3.00pm) Team: Beauchamp, Turl, Lewis (Ryan Thwaite 49), Grimes, Rich Thwaite, Turner, Mace, Twyman, Smith (Orchard 69), Payne (Sklenar 59), Thomas Supporters Man of the Match: Dean Turner