Swans throw away three goal lead in second half collapse

A dominant first half performance saw the Swans head into half time with a three goal lead that should have given them their first points of the season. However the visitors had other ideas making two early second half substitutions that changed the game in their favour leading to a collapse in the home side’s concentration and concede six goals.

Slimbridge started their first league game of the season on the front foot, Ben Deakin found space down the right to cross to the far post where Jamie Martin was waiting to head the ball over the Basingstoke keeper Julian Schwatzer with only 3 minutes on the clock.

The Swans continued to have much of the play although Basingstoke looked strong down the left flank on occasions.  The home lead was extended on 18 minutes Jay Malshanskyj threading a pass through to Danny King who beat a defender and then tucked the ball into the bottom corner past Schwartzer.

A couple of chances for the visitors midway through the half, George Hallahan and Bradley Willson looking lively but failed to hit the target with their efforts.  On the half hour mark, Owen Giles was booked for a trip 25 yards outside the Swans box, the resulting free kick was parried away to safety by Lewis Adams.

As Basingstoke came back into the game in the latter of the half, the home side increased the lead on the stroke of half time.  An exchange of passes between Edji Mbunga and King saw Mbunga hit a sublime volley past Schwartzer.

The second half was a complete contrast to the first, two early substitutions for the visitors one tactical the other for an injury turn the game around.  George Reid walking through the middle of the sleepy home defence slotted the ball past Adams to reduce the deficit on 55 minutes.

Ten minutes later Adams saved well at close range from Wilson as the visitors piled the pressure on the home side.  A second goal for the visitors came on 67 minutes Reid turning provider skipping down the left flank and crossing for Hallahan to score.

Two minutes later the score was level, substitute Mckoy Palmer firing an effort past Adams from the edge of the box.  Basingstoke took the lead on 73 minutes through Hallahan who skipped through the defence unopposed and beating Adams for his second.

The oppositions lead was extended three minutes later Palmer again firing from distance to put the game beyond the Swans who were barely able to string a pass together.  Approaching the final whistle Kings chip into the box saw Martins header caught on the line.

A late corner in stoppage for the Swans was picked up by Ben Cook inside the box, his break down the right evaded the sluggish Swans backline to cross the ball into Dylan Ives path for an easy tap in at the far post and sum up a miserable second half for Slimbridge.

Next Saturday the Swans first team travel to Southampton to face Sholing, whilst the reserve team open their campaign at Thornhill Park entertaining neighbours Shortwood United Reserves.  On Monday night the Development Under 18 side travel to Chippenham in the FA Youth Cup.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, N Humphreys, M Turner (75 J Stokes), O Giles, J White, J Malshanskyj (75 J Flo), D Turner, J Martin, D King, E Mbunga 

Unused Subs: B Prictor, N Tilling, J Twyman

Goals: J Martin 3, D King 18, E Mbunga 44

Attendance: 148