New Swans’ Boss Leon Sterling began his competitive managerial career with a 2-1 victory over Highworth Town at Wisloe Road last night, in Slimbridge’s first game back in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League.

First half goals from Micky Bryant, who joined the club in the Summer from Berkeley Town, and Joe Tustain put the Swans in the driving seat, but a determined second half comeback from Highworth could only produce a single goal response, from Ritchie Saunders, as Slimbridge held on to nick the points.

Bryant was the only new face in the Swans line up, with Sterling retaining the majority of the players who secured promotion last term, and he would have been delighted with his sides opening to the game.

Highworth were immediately under pressure as a the Swans came out of the blocks looking very lively, and it only took four minutes to the home side to take the lead – Bryant controlled the ball neatly in the Highworth box, and lobbed Keeper Kurtis Sharkey for a sweet finish.

The tempo from the home side was maintained as both Lewis Wilton and Joe Tustain had chances early on to increase the lead, but Highworth held on and began to get themselves back in the game.

Slimbridge were still playing some very attractive football and a neat move involving Paul Carter, Fred Ward and Tustain saw some good Highworth defending block Tustain’s effort on 22 minutes.

The visitors spurned a gilt-edged change to pull level in the 26th minute, when a Tony Joyce free kick into the Slimbridge box was headed wide by Ritchie Saunders, who had been left in acres of space by the Swans’ defence. Four minutes later, Danny Hilder’ s cross found Highworth Captain Tom Cole in a similar position, and again, his header flashed wide of Dave Evans’ post for a goal kick with the goal at his mercy.

The misses were to prove costly for Highworth - After Adam Philp and Wilton had both had close range efforts blocked in the box, the Swans doubled their advantage on 32 minutes. Philp made room for a probing cross from the left, and Tustain reached the ball ahead of Keeper Sharkey, taking it past him and blasting into the empty net.

Slimbridge continued to press, and Wilton should have got his name on the scoresheet when he blasted the ball over the bar 2 minutes before the interval with only the Keeper to beat. Just before Half Time Bryant also came close, shooting wide after a good break from Tustain.

As the send half progressed, the visitors came more into the game as Slimbridge sat back on their lead, and Highworth began to look the more dangerous side. The impressive Saunders was causing problems for the Swans' back line, and missed another good chance to pull a goal back on 61 minutes, when another headed drifted just wide of the post. However, in the 64th minute, he finally got the reward his performance deserved, slotting home from close range following the ball running free after a good save from Dave Evans.

Highworth continued to press, but couldn't make the breakthrough, as Slimbridge failed repeated to get back on the front foot clearing from defence.

The home side should have wrapped the game up with ten minutes when a through ball from Tustain found Roberts in on goal, and he appeared to be pulled down by Sharkey as he went to shoot. Referee Roskelly, however, felt there was no foul and gave a goal kick to the visitors. At the other end, Steve Robertson had a great chance to equalise in the last minute, but was thwarted by a stunning tackle from Rob Hine, who took the ball off Robertson's feet without fouling him 12 yards out.

On Saturday, Slimbridge travel to Wokingham and Emmbrook (3pm) before returning to Wisloe Road on Wednesday August 18th when they host Shrivenham in another League fixture (7.45pm)

Team: Evans, Cornwall, Cole, Inch, Wellon, Ward, Carter (Hine 73), Bryant (Roberts 67), Philp (Wood 67), Tustain, Wilton

Goals: Bryant (4), Tustain (32)

Tonight's training for both the Reserves and the Under 18's has been cancelled due to the heavy rain and a need to protect the Wisloe Road pitch for tomorrow's First team match.

The Swans have been handed the following League fixtures for September and October...

Saturday 4th September - Thame Utd (A) - FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round (previously confirmed)
Saturday 11th September - Old Woodstock Town (H)
Tuesday 14th September - Fairford Town (A)
Saturday 18th September - Witney Utd (H) - Fixture tbc
Wednesday 22nd September - Wantage Town (H)
Saturday 25th September - Kidlington (A)
Saturday 2nd October - Trowbridge Town (A) - Bluefin Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup 1st Round
Tuesday 5th October - Oxford City Nomads (H) - AM Print & Copy Floodlit Cup 2nd Round - tbc
Saturday 9th October - Binfield (H)
Wednesday 13th October - Oxford City Nomads (A)
Saturday 23rd October - Fixture tbc
Wednesday 27th October - Pegasus Juniors (H)
Saturday 30th October - Thame United (A)

The Swans got one over their old Manager James Cole with a 2-0 victory at Tavistock Town this afternoon. A full report will follow.

The Swans were beaten 2-1 this evening at Wisloe Road by Cricklade Town. Danny Chandler put the Swans ahead just before half time, but two second half goals saw Cricklade come out on top. The visitors also missed two penalties in the second period. The Swans travel to old Manager James Coles' Tavistock on Saturday to continue their pre-season camapaign.

Slimbridge kicked off a new season in very hot conditions against familiar rivals from the County League at Brimscombe. Both sides are preparing for new challenges in higher divisions and a variety of new and familiar faces were on display in a keenly contested game.

New manager Leon Sterling started with a number of new signings all eager to show that, they are up for the challenge of the first season back in the Hellenic Premier Division. There were a lot of early nerves as everyone looked to shake off the excesses of summer and the home side took advantage of this when they went ahead after 12 minutes. A throw in from the right travelled a long distance unchallenged and a firm shot found its way into the back of the Slimbridge net.

The early goal shocked Slimbridge into life and they settled into trying to play their own brand of possession football with some crisp and inventive passing. Good work rate and endeavour began to create some openings and several chances fell to Adam Philp and skipper Marve Roberts who is looking to bounce back after a bad injury at the end of last season. It was Philp who levelled the scores on 34 minutes with a good finish after impressive work on the left from newly graduated Lewis Wilton.

The defence settled down well and centre-half Tom Speers, newly signed from North Leigh, looked impressive alongside veteran Rich Workman. Full backs Leone Cornwall and the vastly experienced Steve Badham rarely looked troubled and young goalkeeper Steve Sparrow made a confident first half appearance before being replaced by last year’s Supporter’s Player of the Year Dave Evans who heads for University at the end of September.

Micky Bryant, one of several signings from Berkeley Town, made an impressive debut in midfield alongside Nick Jones , another new addition from Cheltenham Saracens, with the ever-reliable Rob Hine providing a steadying influence as the Swans began to dominate. The scores were level at half time although several chances had been wasted by the visitors.

Wholesale changes were made at half time as the new manager took the opportunity to blood Danny Chandler and Dean Turner from the Reserves and rest the weary veterans Badham and Workman as the heat began to take its toll. New Assistant Manager Fred Ward made a very welcome return and former Cirencester colleague Neil Griffiths became the seventh player to make a first appearance in a Slimbridge First team shirt.

As players and supporters alike began to wilt in the high temperatures Slimbridge took the lead on the hour. A superb through ball from the increasingly influential Wilton found its way to Chandler who confidently placed the ball in the corner past the advancing goalkeeper.

The home side introduced several fresh pairs of legs but ex-Swan Jamie Martin had the only effort on goal to trouble Evans. With ten minutes to go Nick Jones was reintroduced to the Slimbridge line-up and a smart move involving him and several others ended when Chandler produced another smart finish. Jones had the final say with a very confident goal just two minutes from the end as Slimbridge brought the curtain down on an impressive first game of the season. Tougher challenges will undoubtedly follow but if all away trips are as much fun this will be another good season for the Wisloe faithful.

The Swans have been handed their first set of fixtures for the new Hellenic League Premier season.

Wednesday 11th August - Highworth Town H
Saturday 14th August - Wokingham & Emmbrook A
Tuesday 17th August - Shrivenham H
Saturday 21st August - Bracknell Town A
Tuesday 24th August - Pegasus Juniors A
Saturday 28th August - Ascot United A
Monday 30th August Shortwood United H

The club has released the first set of arranged fixtures for next season.

The First team will prepare for their season back in the Hellenic Premier League with the following friendlies -

Saturday July 17th - Brimscombe A 3.00pm
Thursday July 22nd - Malvern Town H 7.30pm
Saturday July 24th - Tavistock A 3.00pm
Thursday July 29th - Cinderford H 7.30pm
Saturday July 31st - Bristol Manor Farm H 3.00pm
Thursday August 3rd - Westfields FC A 7.45pm

The first set of fixtures for the Reserves have also been published

All fixtures are subject to change.

Saturday July 25th - Shortwood Reserves H 3.00pm - Friendly
Thursday August 5th - North Leigh H 7.45pm - Friendly
Wednesday August 11th - Forest Green Under 18s H 7.30pm - Friendly
Saturday August 14th - Quedgeley Wanderers A 2.30pm - League
Saturday August 21st - BA Rangers H 2.30pm - League
Saturday August 28th - Ebley H 2.30pm - League
Saturday September 4th - Shurdington H 2.30pm - League
Wednesday September 8th - Dursley Town Reserves H 6.00pm - League
Saturday September 11th - AC Royals H 2.30pm - League
Saturday September 25th - Uley A - 2.30pm - League
Saturday October 23rd - Ebley A - 2.30 - League
Saturday October 30th - Cashes Green H 2.30pm - League
Saturday November 13th - BA Rangers A 2.30pm - League
Saturday November 20th - Kingswood Reserves H 2.30pm
Saturday November 27th - Quedgeley Wanderers H 2.30pm - League
Saturday December 4th - Glos Civil Service A 2.00pm - League
Saturday December 11th - Thornbury Town Reserves H 2.00pm - League
Saturday December 18th - Ramblers Reserves H 2.00pm - League
Saturday January 8th 2011 - Ramblers Reserves A 2.00pm - League
Saturday January 29th 2011 - Shurdington Rovers A 2.00pm - League
Saturday February 12th 2011 - Thornbury Town Reserves A 2.30pm - League
Tuesday February 22nd 2011 - Uley H 7.30pm - League
Saturday March 5th 2011 - Glos Civil Service H 2.30pm - League
Saturday March 12th 2011 - Cashes Green A 2.30pm - League
Saturday March 19th 2011 - Tiberton United H 2.30pm - League
Tuesday March 29th 2011 - AC Royals A 6.00pm - League
Tuesday April 5th 2011 - Tiberton United A 6.15pm - League
Saturday April 9th 2011 - Dursley Town Reserves H 2.30pm - League