The Swans clinched the Division One West Title this afternoon, courtesy of a 1-0 victory over third placed Headington Amateurs at Wisloe Road.

Will Wellon was the Swans' hero, scoring the only goal of the game on 18 minutes. The result meant that despite Wotton Bassett recording a 2-1 victory at Easington Sports, Slimbridge's goal difference, 15 greater than that of Bassett, secured the Championship and sealed a return to the Hellenic Premier Division

James Cole made several changes to the side who won at Cirencester in midweek, recalling Shane Anson, Leon Sterling, Tom Cole and Marvyn Roberts to the side at the expense of Richard Workman, Tim Haddock, Ross Langworthy and the Manager himself. Adam Philp picked up a foot injury in Wednesday's game at Cirencester United, and this saw him drop out of the side to be replaced by Lewis Wilton.

As would have been expected, there was a very nervous and tense opening to the game, with both sides still in with the opportunity to win the League Title, but it was The Swans who settled first - Will Wellon's free kick in the eigth minute found it's way to Joe Tustain in acres of space, and his header beat Headington Keeper Harry Jenkins and hit the top of the bar, bouncing over the goal. Headington replied with a free kick from Aaron Williams, which was headed wide by Jay Hill under pressure from the ever dependable Jamie Inch.

Williams was involved in the next chance for the visitors, heading wide following a free kick swung into the Swans' box by Adam Simmonds. The continued to be fairly evenly balanced, with neither side being able to make their chances pay. Ross Langworthy played a neat through ball to Tustain in the 12th minute, but Jenkins made a good save to deny the Slimbridge front man. Probably the best chance of the early exchanges came to Marvyn Roberts, who was played into space by a lovely Tustain diagonal ball, but the Slimbridge captain was hauled down by Klaus Buckle, who earned a booking for his troubles.

This seemed to galvanise Slimbridge, and although Carter's free kick came to nothing, they took the lead shortly afterwards. Will Wellon drove forward from midfield, and, sensing the Headington defence backing away, continued forward. Wellon drew Jenkins as a gap opened up in front of him, and slotted the ball home to the delight of the home crowd.

Following the goal, the game settled back into it's previous state of nervous, and often sloppy play from both sides cancelling each other out. The Swans continued to create chances - Tustain had three good chances to increase the lead, but the game entered the interval with the single goal separating the sides.

Replacing Roberts with Ross Langworthy at Half Time, Manager Cole sought to capitalise on the Swans' advantage, but with Headington obviously fired up for the past 45 minutes of their season, the game remained a close affair. As the half developed and Slimbridge came in sight of the finishing line, nerves began to show, and the game became even closer and tighter than previously.

Wilton had another good chance on 50 minutes, when, after being played in by Tustain, he beat the Keeper only to see a backpedalling defended clear his goalbound shot, and a sign of the Slimbridge nerves came when Langworthy worked his way into the Referee's notebook with just over 20 minutes remaining for time wasting.

Headington's best chance to pull level came with a free kick on the edge of the Slimbridge box in the 70th minute. Neil Lockhart blasted the ball into the Swans' wall, which held firm, and Headington had to be satisfied with a corner, which was taken short. As Slimbridge regrouped, Lockhart lofted his cross high over the Slimbridge bar.

As the game crept agonisingly toward 90 minutes, eight minutes remained when Langworthy just failed to control a difficult ball following a deft nod on from Tustain, following Carter's free kick. Headington were reduced to long range efforts as time crept away from them, but were very close to pulling the game back when Buckle tried a 25 yarder which whistled past Dave Evans' post with four minutes remaining.

With two minutes left on the clock, Headington spurned their final opportunity to equalise, when Williams beat Evans, only to see Ross Langworthy back defending, and clearing his goalbound shot. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations amongst Slimbridge players and officials, and all credit must be paid to Headington, who graciously applauded their opponents from the pitch despite their obvious disappointment at the final result. Their players and officials also presented Slimbridge with champagne that they had brought along for their own celebrations when the teams met in the Clubhouse after the game.

Team: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Sterling, Inch, Carter, T. Cole, Wood, Roberts (Langworthy 45), Tustain, Wilton

Goal: Wellon 18

The Swans cruised to a comfortable victory this evening against a makeshift Cirencester United side, to set up a 'Winner takes all' showdown pair of games on Saturday to decide the destination of the Hellenic League West Title. it took Slimbridge 21 minutes to make the first breakthrough, when Adam Philp opened the scoring, but a Joe Tustain effort and a further goal from Philp saw the Swans take a 3 goal lead in at the half. Philp completed his Hat Trick in the 55th minute. The win takes the Swans back to the top of the Division, ahead of Wootton Bassett Town and Headington Amateurs on goal difference, and still in charge of their own destiny.

Manager James Cole, in one of his final games in charge, introduced Slimbridge old boy and stalwart Tim Haddock in his starting line up in place of Shane Anson. Ross Langworthy replaced Rob Hine, and Philp came in for Andy Varnham. The Manager included himself in the line up at the expense of Lewis Wilton, who dropped to the bench, possibly in order to save him for the crucial game against Headington on Saturday.

The tempo of the game was established straight from the Kick Off. Ciren worked the ball backwards towards their own goal, and Keeper Callum Jacks' clearance was chased down and blocked by Philp. Unfortunately for the Slimbridge front man, the ball rebounded out for a goal kick. It was immediately obvious that the pitch was very uneven, with rogue bounces spoiling a lot of the play during the game. With only two minutes on the clock, Tustain worked a neat opening with Philp and drew the Keeper, but scuffed his shot as the ball bobbled, and saw his effort rise over the bar and the Ciren defenders on the goal line.

Slimbridge continued to press, and it was very much a case of 'backs to the wall' for the home defence, as attack upon attack came from the Swans. A free kick from Cole was met with a good header from Captain Jamie Inch in the sixth minute, but again the ball bounced kindly for Jacks to gather. Slimbridge were creating chance after chance by using diagonal balls to split the Ciren defence, and their next effort came courtesy of Philp and Tustain, who were exploiting their speed to create openings, this one resulting a blocked shot from Philp in the ninth minute. Langworthy was also beginning to find ways to create space for himself, and, with 10 minutes on the clock, he combined well with Tustain to create a good opportunity for Cole, who blasted the ball over from 12 yards out when well placed to add to the score.

With a quarter of an hour gone, the Swans had a let off when a rare Cirencenster attack saw a free kick lofted into the Slimbridge box by Darren Luck, and the ball dropped onto the hand of Jamie Inch, but Referee Ashman decided that it was case of ball-to-hand, and waved away the protests from the home side. Slimbridge regrouped after this scare, and the relentless wave of attacks restarted - Philp saw his shot deflected behind on 18 minutes, following more good work by Langworthy. From the resulting corner, Tustain got in a header which brought a good save from Jacks, before the ball was cleared in a goalmouth scramble. Two minutes later, Haddock created a great opportunity for himself with a blistering run from midfield, but shot over as the ball again hit an uneven piece of turf.

The breakthrough for the visitors finally came in the 21st minute, when a penetrating run down the right hand side from Tustain drew the last defender before he squared the ball to Philp, who gleefully slotted the ball home to put Slimbridge ahead. Almost immediately after the restart, another quick 1-2 move, this time between Haddock and Philp, saw a chance created for Haddock, but he shot wide with Philp in open space to his right. Eight minutes later, the lead was doubled - a lofted ball from Carter eluded the Ciren back four, and Tustain outraced the defenders to slide the ball neatly past Jacks, giving the scoreline a more realistic look.

Jamie Inch was finding the opportunity to go forward more than usual as the pressure continued to be at the home end, and displayed some great control on the edge of the Ciren box, as he combined nicely with Philp to play in Cole. The Manager just failed to get his shot in before a good tackle from Stephen Ford took the ball from his feet. Two minutes later, Tustain was played in via another impressive piece of play from Langworthy and Philp, but shot just wide.

Inevitably, another goal arrived in the 37th minute, and again, it was the diagonal pass that did the damage - Langworthy played in Philp with a superb ball, and he beat Jacks with ease to notch his second of the game. Philp's confidence was demonstrated when, a minute later, his overhead kick effort brought a good save from Jacks, after a Will Wellon cross was headed back into the Ciren box by Langworthy. There was still time before half time for another good chance to be created - Langworthy played in by Ben Wood, with Jacks again making a good save to deny the youngster.

Any thoughts that Slimbridge had about sitting back and playing out the second half were jolted when, with 49 minutes on the clock, Cirencester created their first decent chance of the game. Dan Cooper played a lovely 1-2 with James Jevenis, and was played in through on goal - his initial shot was fumbled by Dave Evans, who eventually gather in a scramble that followed. But the chance galvanised the home side, who went on to have their best spell of the game. Chris Allen was at the heart of most of the good play for the home side, but his forays forward found him being well marshalled by Jamie Inch and Richard Workman, as the Swans held firm. Cooper and Jevenis combined effectively again in the 55th minute, but Jevenis lofted his shot high over the Slimbridge bar when well placed.

Cirencester paid for the missed chance when the Swans went straight down the other end, and netted their fourth goal of the night - Tustain's header put Philp through on goal, and his perfectly lofted shot completed his Hat Trick, his first for the club.

The game then turned into a situation of 'Slimbridge against Jacks', as the Ciren keeper made save after save to keep the score down, in a Man Of The Match display for the home side. A superb stop on the hour mark prevented a Haddock header from adding to the scoreline, following a good cross from Cole. From the resulting corner, Philp scrambled in what he believed to be his fourth goal of the game, but it was ruled out for handball. A minute later, Jacks made another impressive stop at the feet of Philps, and in the 64th minute, Cole again scuffed another chance wide when well placed. It was to be the Manager's last contribution on the pitch of the evening.

With Lewis Wilton replacing Cole, the chances continued to present themselves - Philp skied a good chance in the 67th minute, before converting a Carter Free Kick a minute later, but he was ruled offside. Undeterrred, Philp brought a superb save from Jacks a minute later with a header following a great cross from Wilton.

With 15 minutes remaining, Swans' fans were heartened to see the return to the pitch following injury of Marvyn Roberts - Roberts replaced Ross Langworthy, who yet again had turned in a very creditable display down the right flank. There was still time for the Swans to create another four good chances - Firstly, Philp saw Carter's cross punched off his head by Jacks, before two minutes later, another Swans goal was ruled out for offiside. This time, Philp and Wood combined for Wood to net, but the goal was chalked off. The pitch continued to cause problems - Roberts was put through on goal by Wilton with 6 minutes remaining, but a bobble meant his shot scuffed well wide of the target. Haddock also had the opportunity for one more chance, shooting just wide following a Carter throw in.

The win sets up Saturday's game perfectly. As we expected at the beginning of the week, all three teams at the top can still win the title. It promises to be a great day of football.

Team: Evans, Carter, Wellon, Inch, Workman, Haddock, Langworthy (Roberts 75), Wood, Philp, Tustain, J. Cole (Wilton 64)

Goals: Philp 21, 37, 55, Tustain 29

Here is the League table tonight

Slimbridge, played 29, points 64, goal difference 54
Wootton Bassett, played 29, points 64, goal difference 39
Headington Amateurs, played 29, points 64, goal difference 37

And here are Saturday's fixtures

Slimbridge v Headington Amateurs
Easington Sports v Wootton Bassett Town

SLIMBRIDGE WILL WIN THE TITLE IF

They beat Headington, unless Wootton Bassett make up a 15 goal difference deficit in winning at Easington Sports
They draw against Headington, and Bassett draw at Easington

WOOTTON BASSETT WILL WIN THE TITLE IF

They beat Easington,and Headington win at Slimbridge, and their goal difference maintains their lead over Easington
They beat Easington, and Slimbridge and Headington draw

HEADINGTON WILL WIN THE TITLE IF

They win at Slimbridge and their goal difference is enough to overturn Bassett's goal difference if they win at Easington OR
They win at Slimbridge and Bassett draw at Easington OR
they win at Slimbridge and Bassett lose.

Headington ensured that the title race on Saturday remains a three horse contest with a 3-2 victory at Easington Sports tonight. The next stage of the unfolding drama happens tomorrow night, when Slimbridge travel to Cirencester United.

What we do know is that by this time next week, the destination of the Hellenic League West title will have been settled - what we don't know is which of the top three side will claim the crown. All of them still can do so..

Currently, Wootton Bassett Town are top of pile, with one game remaining for them, which will take place next Saturday, away to Easington Sports. Their record reads Played 29, points 64, goal difference 39. Slimbridge have played a game less, Played 28, points 61, Goal Difference 50. Third place is held by Headington Amateurs, whose record reads Played 28, points 61, Goal Difference 36.

The first key fixture of the week takes place on Tuesday, when Headington travel to Easington Sports, which is their game in hand on Wootton Bassett. The following night, Slimbridge travel to bottom club Cirencester United, playing their game in hand on the leaders. Assuming that both Headington and Slimbridge both record victories, we will go into the final day of the season with all three clubs on Played 29, 64 points, with goal difference as it currently stands putting Slimbridge top, Wootton Bassett second and Headington third, with the final outcome to be decided on the very last weekend of the season.

On Saturday, with delicious timing, The Swans entertain Headington at Wisloe Road - a win for the Swans would see them clinch the title whatever happens to Bassett at Easington, unless a barrowload of goals are scored elsewhere to make up a goal difference of a dozen or so, but a draw or away victory would open the whole battle up to a finale which is impossible at this time to predict with any certainty.

As soon as the Headington score on Tuesday is available, we will post here with analysis of the implications of the result, and obviously will be reporting back from Cirencester on Wednesday. By Saturday, all the teams should know, at least, what title options are available to them based upon the various scenarios. It promises to be an absolutely fascinating week.

On a weekend when the top three sides in the Hellenic League West all recorded victories, the Swans ensured that the fate of the title still remains firmly in their own hands with victory this afternoon over North Leigh, whose Manager, Darren Massey can be immensely proud of his team's performance in very difficult circumstances.

The Swans thoroughly deserved their victory, taking an early lead through Lewis Wilton, and doubling their advantage just before Half Time courtesy of an Andy Varnham penalty. Joe Tustain's 82nd minute third goal sealed the win for Slimbridge, who can clinch the title with two more victories, at Cirencester United on Wednesday (6.30pm Kick Off), and at home to Headington Amateurs next Saturday at Wisloe Road (3.00pm), in what could well be the game that decides the destination of the Championship trophy.

Manager James Cole made two changes to the side that drew last week against Cheltenham Saracens, replacing the absent Leon Sterling with Richard Workman at the back, and with Andy Varnham stepping in for Adam Philp. Leigh Manager Massey was forced to revamp his side, as six first team call ups decimated his squad options at the last minute, and Massey ended up playing himself in goal, with only two substitutes on the bench, both of whom were playing a game on an adjoining pitch, and were not available to actually sit on the bench for the start of the game. The game started as you might have expected given the circumstances, with the visitors settling first, and North Leigh very much on the back foot.

Massey was called into action as early as the third minute, saving a Varnham header following good work from Captain for the day Jamie Inch, although North Leigh broke well following Massey's clearance, and Lee Keys forced an early corner for the home side. Home Captain Tom Spears was left in acres of space as the corner came in, but his weak headed effort was easily saved by Dave Evans. In the ninth minute, the Swans took the lead - Luke Manin attempted to dribble the ball out of defence, and was dispossessed by Lewis Wilton, who slammed the ball past Massey to put Slimbridge ahead.

A minute later, the lead could have been doubled when Joe Tustain lobbed Massey following a good through ball from Vanham, but was judged offside, and the goal was ruled out. In a period of play reminiscent of last week's outing, the Swans then dominated the game without managing to increase their advantage. In the 12th minute, a sweeping move involving Wilton and Tustain made space for Varnham, who shot wide when well placed. Two minutes later, a Carter corner resulted in Tustain seeing his goalbound effort blocked on the line, and Varnham wasted another good chance in the 18th minute, allowing his shot to be blocked when in a good position.

Things went from bad to worse for North Leigh in the 20th minute when Will Smalldon went down following a collision with Rob Hine, and had to come off the pitch. With no substitute available, Leigh were forced to continue playing with ten men. The Swans stepped up the pressure, and Varham's header, followed by Tustain scuffed shot should have increased the advantage for the visitors. With 26 minutes on the clock, numerical parity was restored on the pitch as Ryan Lewis arrived to bring North Leigh back up to 11 players, but amazingly, just three minutes later, Lee Keys pulled up with a hamstring problem and Leigh were back down to ten men, awaiting the appearance of the next replacement player.

Eventually, the pressure paid, and the Swans doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute - vociferous and increasingly frustrated home Captain Spears kicked out at Andy Varnham as they tussled in the penalty box, and referee Singh rightly awarded Slimbridge a penalty. Varnham despatched sweetly past Massey to make the score 2-0 at Half Time. Spears was booked in the incident.

With a two goal cushion, and despite Leigh being back up to eleven men as the second half kicked off, the Swans continued to dominate. Paul Carter was becoming increasingly influential down the right side of midfield, and was involved in many of their best moves - his corner in the 55th minute was very nearly headed for an own goal by a backpeddaling Leigh defender, and his free kick in the 59th minute saw Varnham again go close.

The introduction of Ross Langworthy in the 63rd minute brought a new dimension to the Slimbridge front play, and the youngster almost made an immediate impact, turning and making space for himself and bringing a good save from Massey.

Tustain missed a glorious opportunity to seal the game in the 73rd minute - played in by some classy footwork from Ben Wood, Tustain opted to blast the ball when through on goal, and saw his effort loft over the bar from 12 yards out. Langworthy continued to impress down the right side, and created a good chance for Varnham on 75 minutes, but the Swans striker saw his shot blocked on the edge of the box. As Slimbridge continued to pile the pressure on, Tustain brought a good save from Massey, before heading over following another Carter Free Kick.

Slimbridge made the game safe in the 82nd minute, when Langworthy neatly headed a Lewis Wilton cross into the path of Tustain, who netted through a crowd of players to make the score 3-0. Manager James Cole made what may prove to be his final appearance on the pitch in a notable career with Slimbridge when he replaced Varnham following the goal. The Manager tried desperately to get himself on the scoresheet, but Tustain heading wide from another Carter Free Kick was the last real action of the game, which was always going to be more about the result than anything else. The Swans victory keeps them in pole position, with a fascinating week of football still to come.

Team: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Inch, Workman, Carter, Wood, Hine (Langworthy 63), Tustain, Varnham (J, Cole 82), Wilton

Goals: Wilton 8, Varnham (Pen) 43, Tustain 82

Slimbridge paid a heavy price for failing to kill off a game they dominated for long periods, when a 75th minute penalty earned Cheltenham Saracens a draw at Wisloe Road this afternoon. The Swans had had the ascendancy for the majority of the game, but only had Adam Philp's 10th minute strike to show for their efforts. The dropped points, coupled with Wootton Bassett's win at Launton Sports, ensured that the battle for the Hellenic League West will continue to be too close to call, and may well go down to the final weekend of the season.

The Swans remain in second place in the League, ahead of Headington Amateurs on goal difference having played the same number of games, and three points behind Wootton Bassett, although with a game in hand on the top side. The final weekend matchup between Slimbridge and Headington could well have a major say in the destination of the league title, with the top three sides all very much in the hunt.

With Captain and talisman Marvyn Roberts still sidelined, Manager James Cole paired Joe Tustain and Adam Philp up front, with Paul Carter earning the call over Ross Langworthy, who started on the bench. The Swans started at a furious pace, and could have gone in front as early as the third minute - Rob Hine, Tustain, Philp and Jamie Inch all went close in a breathless opening period, with Saracens certainly starting the slower of the two sides. In the sixth minute, Tustain played in Philp who saw his shot deflected for a corner by a last ditch tackle, and from the corner, Hine headed just past the post with Saracens in disarray at the back.

The Swans continued to press, and Lewis Wilton was the next to spurn a chance, shooting wide when well placed after good work by Philp. In the 10th minute, Slimbridge finally were rewarded and forged ahead - a Carter cross was neatly headed on by Hime to Philp, who turned superbly to rifle home from near the penalty spot. It was no more than Slimbridge deserved for their pressure. Two minutes later, a glorious header by Inch hit the Sarcens bar, and the Swans lead stayed as a single goal.

Eventually Saracens began to pull themselves back in the game, with Swans' Keeper Dave Evans forced into a good save from Jamie Hammond with 25 minutes on the clock, but it was Slimbridge who continued to make the best chances. Wilton had another good effort blocked in the Saracens box, and in the last five minutes of the half, Tustain brought a superb save from Saracens Keeper Ryan Betteridge, who pushed his goalbound header over the bar after another pinpoint corner from Carter. As time ran out, there was still time for Tustain to create another chance for Wilton, but his header drifted just wide, and the Swans had to settle for a single goal advantage as they went into the break.

Saracens made a better start to the second half than they had the first, but it continued to be all Slimbridge pressure as the second half developed - Ben Wood's shot-cum-cross drifted agonisingly over the bar with Betteridge stranded in the 55th minute, and the Sarries Keeper kept his team in the game with a magnificent save from Wilton in the 58th minute, following a super piece of flowing football involving Philp and Tustain. Slimbridge continued to press, and Tustain spurned the next chance, heading wide from a Carter cross on 63 minutes. Andy Varnham replaced Hine, and was immediately involved in a move which saw Philp through on goal, but his shot was just too high.

As the game entered it's final quarter, Saracens started to press properly for the first time in the match, and the Swans paid the price for their failure to convert their chances - With 18 minutes remaining in the tie, Hammond took advantage of some slack defending to rattle the Slimbridge crossbar, and in the 75th minute, the inevitable equaliser arrived for the visitors when Hammond chased a back pass, and was felled in the box. Hammond picked himself up to drill the penalty past Evans and bring the scores level.

Manager Cole responded by introducing Ross Langowrthy into the game to replace the tiring Philp, and the youngster's speed created a good opportunity for Wilton, who just overran the ball, and allowed Betteridge to nick it off his feet. The Sarries Keeper also made one final good save from Tustain with 3 minutes remaining to earn his side a point, and frustrate the Swans, who knew that this was a game they should have nailed down well before Cheltenham equalised.

The Swans travel to North Leigh Reserves next Saturday, followed by a visit to Cirencester United on Wednesday week. Slimbridge then return to Wisloe Road for their final home League game on May 1st, when they entertain Headington Amateurs in what conceivably could turn out to be the title decider.

Team: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Sterling, Inch, Wood, Carter, Hine (Varnham 63), Tustain, Philp (Langworthy 78), Wilton

Goal: Philp 10

Following Ardley United's 2-0 victory over Abingdon Town on Thursday Night, the Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup Final will be between Ardley and Slimbridge. The Tie will be played on May 3rd At Wantage Town FC, Kick Off 3pm.