Slimbridge 1-3 Melksham Town

MISTAKES proved costly for an out-of-sorts Slimbridge, writes Rob Peck

With Jamie Martin serving a one match suspension, Slimbridge gave another impressive under-18 player Jacob Waddington his debut in the senior team.

Slimbridge started well, Myron Turner playing in a pin point cross from the right towards the far post to Ewen Dunbar but failed to fully connect his header under pressure from visiting keeper Sam Thomas. Dunbar suffered a minor head injury in the process and after treatment was able to continue.

The delay seemed to unsettle the home side, a dangerous ball across the Swans' six-yard box was missed completely by Myron Turner and Luke Ballinger was waiting to tap into an empty net to give the visitors the lead.

Midway through the half, Dan King had a shot blocked in the penalty box after latching onto Liam Smith's through ball. Waddington was called into last gasp action on 25 minutes, clearing the ball off the line under pressure from Michael Perrott after Ballinger had chipped the ball over home keeper Lewis Adams.

Two minutes later Will Hawes cross from right to left found Dunbar and his shot was blocked, the ball falling to King, whose effort was also blocked and cleared by the visiting defence.

Early in the second half, Neikell Plummer failed to convert Matt Smith’s cross at the far post and then a couple of minutes later Hawes forced a save from Thomson.

Slimbridge fell two goals behind on 54 minutes when Waddington’s block off the line ricocheted to Plummer who made no mistake from close range.

Melksham sealed the points on 85 minutes, substitute Gary Higdon drawing Adams out of his goal on the right for Ballinger to tap into an empty net. With a minute left, the Swans scored a consolation goal through Dean Turner, his initial shot was blocked before a curling shot beat Thomson to his left.

The Swans have a week off next week before returning to action on April 6 to face high-flying Moneyfields at Thornhill Park.

Slimbridge: Adams, M Turner (Mendes 78), Waddington, Noakes, C Turner, Smith, D Turner, Hawes (Jackson 58), Dunbar, Magee, King (Small 78)

Unused sub: Brown

Attendance: 105

Supporters' man-of-the-match: Jacob Waddington.