SLIMBRIDGE battled back from 3-0 down to lose a five-goal thriller in their final pre-season friendly against Southern Premier newcomers Yate Town, writes Rob Peck.

Slimbridge started well, but it was Yate who opened the scoring with a brace from former Forest Green striker from Olly Mehew in a three minute dominant spell for the visitors.

Five minutes later the home side should have pulled a goal back when Ben Aitken struck wide with only Adam Forster in goal to beat. Two minutes into the second-half Slimbridge were caught napping and found themselves three down when former Swan Mike Bryant turned and hit a low shot past Avenell into the bottom corner off the base of the post.

After a number of changes for both sides, the Swans dominated the final 15 minutes Dean Turner’s shot deflecting just wide after a great team movement from the back. Slimbridge finally got a goal they deserved with just less than 10 minutes remaining Jamie Martin sending in a dangerous cross from the left which Forster got a hand to, but palmed it into the path of Leighton Tuodolo, making his first senior appearance for the club, who calmly controlled the ball and fired home. This sparked the revival with a second goal coming five minutes later. Dean Turner, on the edge of the box, pushed the ball wide to the left and Martin curled beyond Forster into the far corner.

Slimbridge start their new season in the Emirates FA Cup with an extra- preliminary round tie on Saturday at Thornhill Park 3pm kick-off where Edgware Town of the Spartan South Midlands Football League are the visitors.

Slimbridge: Avenall, Nesbeth, Peck, Ford, C Turner, White, Martin, D Turner, Sarson, M Turner, Aitkin

Subs: Handley, Chambers, Bekinsale, Bloomfield, Tuodolo

Attendance: 115