Slimbridge 0-1 Willand Rovers

DEAN STAMP made his mark on Slimbridge as Willand Rovers pinched the points despite a fine goalkeeping masterclass from Lewis Adams, writes Rob Peck.

Earlier, Slimbridge kept faith with the same starting line-up that secured a point at Bristol Manor Farm in mid-week, Araron Nesbeth returned to the bench replacing Dean Turner after a long layoff through injury.

The home side started brightly Myron Turner heading straight at keeper Mark Searle from Jack Horrell’s cross. A couple of minutes later Dan King got a shot away but fired it into the arms of Searle.

Adams, in the Slimbridge goal, did well to stop William Richards shot from the edge of the box as the visitors started to get into the game. At the other end, Horrell sent in a free-kick from the left which Will Peck headed goal wards, but Searle was in the right place to make the save.

On 24 minutes Willand hit the home side on the break, Callum Hall sending a delightful through ball for Stamp to run onto and tuck past the advancing Adams to give the visitors the lead.

The home side had the opportunity to draw level three minutes later when Myron Turner on the left pushed the ball into the box for Ryan Beckinsale who fired over from 10 yards out.

The well organised visiting side continued to press in search of a second goal, Craig Veal forcing a save from Adams on 35 minutes and four minutes later Veal again tested Adams, the follow up was expertly cleared away by Korey Pring with Adams stranded. Just before the break Stamp found Veal in space on the right but his first time shot sailed over the bar.

Slimbridge made a change at half-time, Aaron Nesbeth replacing King on the right side of defence. It was again Willand that made the early advances in the second half Hall chasing a through ball that was claimed well by Adams.

A couple of minutes later Horrell’s free-kick fell straight to Searle in the visitor’s box. On the hour, Pring was called into action clearing Rob Norrish’s dangerous cross into the box. Stamp then forced a save from Adams a few moments later and then Adams did well to save a free kick fired into his near post from the right.

After some good build up play by Slimbridge from the back Ryan Beckinsale’s effort from 20 yards out went over the bar. On 74 minutes the home side were unlucky not to equalise, Horrell’s corner to the far post was headed across the goal striking the far post and cleared away by the visitors’ defence.

Next up for the Swans is a visit to Sholing in Hampshire on Saturday before hosting Larkhall Athletic next Wednesday, December 4, 7.45pm at Thornhill Park.

Slimbridge: Adams, King (Nesbeth 46), Peck, Chambers (Maye 59), White, Pring, Horrell (Dunbar 78), Beckinsale, Sarson, Price, M Turner

Subs not used: C Turner, Ford

Attendance: 101

Supporters’ man-of-the-match: Lewis Adams.