Manager James Cole declared himself 'delighted' by the second half display of his side, which saw The Swans overturn a 2 goal deficit to power their way into the Semi-Final of the Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup at Wisloe Road this afternoon. Trailing at Half Time to opponents Woodley who fully deserved their advantage at the break, the combination of Cole's inspirational team talk, together with some impressive second half finishing from Rob Hine, Ross Langworthy, Ben Wood and Lewis Wilton saw Slimbridge run out 4-2 winners at the final whistle.

As the 3pm Kick Off time approached, Slimbridge club officials were still furiously sanding the pitch in an attempt to keep the game on, as the heavy rainfall soaked the playing surface at Wisloe Road. To the credit of Referee Andy Davies, he gave the game the go ahead despite the continuing downpour, but with a warning to both sides that the game would be called off immediately if at any point he deemed that the pitch had become too dangerous for the players. His judgement paid dividends as, thankfully, the rain eventually eased during the afternoon and the tie was completed.

Cole made one change to the side which beat Clanfield last weekend, replacing Jamie Inch with Tom Cole and shuffling his back four, although it took the Swans a while to adapt to playing without their ever-reliable central defender. Initially, Slimbridge made the brighter start to the game, as both Marvyn Roberts and Adam Philp just failed to connect with good through balls early on, while at the other end, Dave Evans was called into action and forced into a brave dive at the feet of Woodley Striker Lyle Smith with 11 minutes on the clock. Both teams were struggling to play any kind of football in the conditions, but Woodley certainly had the momentum of the tie as they harried and fought for every ball, allowing Slimbridge no time to play the flowing football they favour, and which has proved so valuable to them this season.

The Swans had the next good chance when Philp headed just wide after a Carter corner was headed back into the box by Roberts on 21 minutes. Woodley Winger Luke Williams was giving Shane Anson a particularly torrid time at the back for Slimbridge, and a good run from Williams a minute later saw Woodley create a good opening from a corner, but fail to take advantage as the chance went begging in the Swans' box. As conditions worsened still further, Woodley again upped the tempo of their game, and began to take control, with the Swans looked increasingly vulnerable.

It was not all one way traffic though - Slimbridge also came close to breaking the deadlock when Woods' shot was blocked following a Carter corner after half an hour, but Woodley held firm and looked solid at the back. However, it was no surprise when two goals in the last ten minutes of the half put the visitors seemingly in control of the tie. Two close range efforts, both of which should have been cleared by the Slimbridge defence, saw Carl Davies (36 minutes) and Luke Williams (42 minutes) send the visitors in with a deserved 2 goal advantage at the break.

The Swans obviously had a strong reminder of their responsibilities during the interval, and started the second half more convincingly. Early in the second half, a Carter freekick saw Rob Hine head just wide of the Woodley goal, but in the 52nd minute, the same combination of players saw The Swans pull a goal back - Carter's corner decisively netted by Hine's powerful header. Following a further series of Slimbridge corners, Woodley broke away and hit back in the 67th minute with a powerful Luke Williams run which was placed just wide of the Swans goal by Tom Williams. As he tried to convert the chance, Williams was involved in a collision with Leon Sterling. Sterling was injured in the challenge and replaced by Ross Langworthy.

Langworthy immediately brought a new dimension to the Swans attacking options, and after Roberts had gone close following a powerful run and shot, a delightful move involving Philp and Roberts saw Langworthy convert Roberts' cross to pull the Swans level after 76 minutes. As both clubs fought to avoid the game progressing into Extra Time, Wilton brought a great save from Woodley Keeper Skinner, while Dave Evans at the other end made an impressive stop to deny Tom Williams, who was still proving very dangerous for the away side.

With 6 minutes remaining, it was the Swans who broke the deadlock - some great interplay between Langworthy and Wood saw Wood place his shot beyond the dive of Skinner, and gave the home side the late advantage. Langworthy wasn't finished though, and capped his fine performance with a run down the left wing, which resulted in him playing a great ball to Lewis Wilton, who found some space in the penalty area. Wilton gleefully netted The Swans' fourth goal as the game entered stoppage time, and capped a fantastic second half comeback for the home side.

Manager James Cole said that he stressed at Half Time how important the next goal was going to be, and he confessed himself delighted with the Players' response to his team talk. Slimbridge's opponents in the Semi Final, and the date of the tie have still to be confirmed. The Swans are scheduled to travel to Lydney Town on Easter Monday (KO 3pm), before making a trip to Trowbridge Town on Wednesday, (KO 7.30pm), ending their week of travels at Wootton Bassett next Saturday (KO 3pm).

Team: Evans, T. Cole (Workman 55), Anson, Sterling (Langworthy 69), Wellon, Carter, Hine, Wood, Roberts, Philp, Wilton

Goals: Hine 52, Langworthy 76, Wood 84, Wilton 89

Slimbridge maintained their push for promotion to the Hellenic Premier League with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Clanfield in a thoroughly entertaining afternoon at Wisloe Road. The Swans remain in third position, having games in hand on all their rivals. Their opponents this afternoon belied their mid table league position with a very strong impressive performance, but eventually succumbed to Slimbridge's superior firepower. Adam Philp shone for the hosts, particularly in the first half, scoring the first and playing a major role in the Swans' second, which was credited to Lewis Wilton. Rob Hine and Ross Langworthy both struck in the second period to secure the points for the home side, while Craig Mays was on the scoresheet for the Visitors.

Manager James Cole made three changes from the side who progressed to the Stroud Charity Cup Final in midweek, pairing Marvyn Roberts with Philp up front, with Joe Tustain dropping to the bench. Rob Hine replaced Tom Cole, Leon Sterling came in for Richard Workman, and Shane Anson replace Leon Cornwall at the back.

The Swans started brightly, and barely a minute was on the clock when a long Carter throw into the box was headed just over by Lewis Wilton, but Slimbridge only had to wait until the fourth minute to go in front. A cross from Carter saw Philp in space, and he cleverly headed past Clanfield Keeper Chris Brain, who was left stranded by the penetrating cross. Clanfield rallied well though, and were playing some good football of their own early on - their best chance coming from a good passing move in the 10th minute which saw Adam Little's attempt bring a superb stop from Swans' Keeper Dave Evans.

Slimbridge retaliated with a Roberts cross which Carter struck sweetly on the volley, only to see his shot blocked on the line by a Clanfield defender. At the other end, as the action moved from goalmouth to goalmouth, Little lobbed Evans, but his shot drifted just too high, and Kevin Brooks then placed a shot just wide of the upright for the visitors.

Philp was causing all sorts of problems for the Clanfield defence, giving centre half Ollie Oswin a very uncomfortable afternoon. He looked the most likely next goalscorer, although, for Clanfield, Craig Mays was making life very difficult for Jamie Inch and the Swans back four with some very well timed diagonal runs and sharp turns. It was a very evenly balanced match, with plenty of good football, and providing great entertainment for the Wisloe Road crowd.

With 25 minutes played, a sweet move involving Carter and Roberts produced a good chance for Philp to double his tally, but Brain proved up to the task and made good save down to his left. As the half progressed, Clanfield were rewarded for their efforts, and deservedly got back on level terms on 31 minutes, when a through ball split the Swans defence. Mays placed his shot nicely beyond the reach of Evans in the Slimbridge goal.

It continued to be end-to-end action as Roberts' header from Carter's cross hit the side netting, and Mays again went close after good interplay with Little for Clanfield. However, the next advantage went to the home side in the 44th minute - A Philp shot from outside the box took a deflection off Lewis Wilton in the penalty area to leave Brain stranded and put the Swans 2-1 up at half time.

Clanfield started the second half brightly, with Little forcing another good save from Evans, but it was Slimbridge who forged further ahead in the 55th minute - Carter's free kick lofted into the Clanfield box was neatly headed home by Rob Hine, who found himself in acres of space, to put a little daylight between the two teams. With an hour played, Andy Vanham replaced Roberts, but he only lasted 5 minutes before sustaining a nasty looking injury in an accidental challenge in midfield. Varnham was himself replaced by Joe Tustain.

Eventually, the Swans took control of the game as their opponents tired, and they ended up comfortably playing out the final 25 minutes. Tustain forced another good save from Brain in the 70th minute, before Philp was replaced by Ross Langworthy with 14 minutes remaining. The substitution paid dividends for the home side as Langworthy smartly anticipated a defensive back header intended for Brain with 4 minutes left, beating him to the ball and netting the Swans' fourth goal to secure the victory. The result sets Slimbridge up nicely for their Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup Quarter Final against Woodley Town next Saturday at Wisloe Road, Kick Off 3.00pm.

Team: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Sterling, Inch, Carter, Wood, Hine, Roberts (Varnham 60, replaced by Tustain 65), Philp (Langworthy 76), Wilton

Goals: Philp 4, Wilton 44, Hine 55, Langworthy 86

An 86th minute goal from Adam Philps finally saw off a Brimscombe and Thrupp side who had shown immense character to come back from a 3 goal deficit, and looked to have taken the Stroud Charity Cup Semi-Final to sudden death penalties this evening at Wisloe Road. The Swans took control of the game immediately when Marvyn Roberts hammered home after only two minutes, and with the lead being extended by a rocket from Joe Tustain on nine minutes, and a further goal from Roberts after 20 minutes, it seemed as if it was game over.

However, the visitors were not to be denied, and goals on 25, 73 and 80 minutes deservedly saw them level the game, before a deft Philps header with 4 minutes remaining nicked the game for the Swans.

Slimbridge will play either Yate Town Reserves or Berkeley Town in the final, with the date and venue still to be confirmed.

While the Swans were without a game yesterday, their rivals took advantage to strengthen their positions at the top of the Hellenic League West.

Leaders Cheltenham Saracens, who have played four games more than Purton and five games more than Slimbridge, were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Winterbourne United, but increased their lead at the top to 2 points.

Third placed Purton leapfrogged the Swans into second, courtesy of a 2-1 home victory over Cricklade Town, although Slimbridge now have a game in hand over their rivals.

Wootton Bassett Town, who were without a game yesterday and Headington Amateurs, who picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Letcombe, remain in the title race, both teams having 46 points from 23 games.

The table currently stands

Cheltenham Saracens, P27, Pts 52, GD +43
Purton, P23, Pts 50, GD +37
Slimbridge P22, Pts 48, GD +40
Wootton Bassett Town, P23, Pts 46, GD +27
Headington Amateurs P23, Pts 46, GD +26

On a weekend when all the teams around them recorded wins, Slimbridge secured a priceless 3-0 victory at Cricklade Town this afternoon to retain their spot in second place, courtesy of an early Rob Hine strike, and two late penalties, converted by Tom Cole and new signing Adam Philps, who played a major part in both second half goals after coming on with half an hour remaining.

Manager James Cole introduced some new faces to The Swans squad, including Andy Varnham, previously at Malmesbury Victoria, in the side, as well as naming Philps and Ross Langworthy on the bench. The Swans made an impressive start, and took the lead with a fine pice of play from Rob Hine after 5 minutes - picking the ball up in midfield, Hine advanced through a backpedalling Cricklade defence, before slotting the ball past Keeper Goodey to put Slimbridge ahead. The first half remained an even affair however, with Slimbridge failing to add to their tally. Carter and Anson both missed good chances, before Lewis Wilton brought a fine save from Goodey in the last few minutes of the half.

The second half saw Cricklade up the tempo in an effort to pull back the deficit, but with the dangerous Arron Maximen being superbly marshalled by Captain for the day Leon Sterling, they struggled to trouble Swans' Keeper Dave Evans. Wilton was becoming more influential down the left hand side, and the Swans began to control the game as it settled down after the break. After 55 minutes, Ben Wood had hit the side netting after a good chance created by Wilton, but it was the introduction of Philps, who replace goalscorer Hine after 59 minutes, which was eventually to prove crucial. The Swans began to boss the game but still couldn't manage to kill it off - Philps had an agonising miss after 65 minutes after Jamie Inch had headed a free kick across the goal, and a minute later, Anson fired just wide. A superb finish by Varnham on 74 minutes was ruled for what looked a very harsh offside, before Philps and Tom Cole both went close.

The Swans finally wrapped the game up with 3 minutes remaining, when Philps robbed Cricklade defender Dane Moulden 25 yards out, and was then pulled down by Moulden in the box as he closed in on goal. Tom Cole converted the penalty to secure the game for Slimbridge. As the game entered injury time, Philps cleverly made space for himself before being brought down again in the penalty box, and he picked himself up to convert the spot kick, ensuring the scoreline eventually reflected The Swans' second half dominance.

The Swans now have a 10 day rest period before their Stroud Charity Cup Semi Final against Brimscombe and Thrupp, which takes place at Wisloe Road on Wednesday, 24th March with a 7.30 Kick Off.

Team: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Sterling, Inch, Carter, Hine (Philps 59), Wood, Varnham (Tustain 86), Wilton, T. Cole

Goals, Hine (5), T. Cole (Pen 86), Philps (Pen 90)

Last night, following a 1-1 draw at Witney, the home side lost out 4-2 on penalties to Woodley, who will now travel to meet The Swans at Wisloe Road in the Quarter Final of the Cup.

The tie will take place on Saturday 3rd April at Wisloe Road with a 3pm Kick Off.

The Stroud Charity Cup Semi-Final against Brimscombe & Thrupp will be played at Wisloe Road on Wednesday 24th March, with a 7.30 Kick Off.

The Hellinic League has also announced that the Swans' Hellenic League West trip to Trowbridge Town, which was postponed previously, has now been rearranged for Wednesday April 7th, with a 7.30pm Kick Off.

Slimbridge played out an uninspiring and forgettable draw at Letcombe this afternoon. The result leaves the Swans in 2nd place in the league, three points behind leaders Cheltenham Saracens, who beat Trowbridge Town 4-3. The Swans have three games in hand on the first placed side at present.