After last weeks disappointing defeat, Slimbridge travelled down to the South coast to face unbeaten Sholing.  Lee Driver-Dickerson made four changes to last weeks starting line-up including three of the defensive line up.  Alex Hainault joining the club on dual-registration from Gloucester City and Ben Prictor filed the full back roles, with Christien Turner making his first start of the season recovering from a pre-season injury.  Mike Ford returning from Iceland started in midfield to replace Dean Turner who took a spot on the bench, Owen Giles joining up with the reserve team.

The visitors started the game well knocking the ball around confidently from the defence, with new boy Alex Hainaults higher level experience giving the back line a much needed vocal boost. The team appeared to have gained some fight and passion around the field chasing down loose balls and getting stuck in to win the ball in midfield against a strong Sholing side.

It was Sholing who had the first attempt on goal, Brad Targett firing into the arms of Lewis Adams who commanded his penalty area well.  Jay Malshanskyj got his head to a Ben Prictor cross from the left but it just crept wide of the post.  

The home side gained a corner on 14 minutes centre half Daniel Miller heading it wide.  Christien Turner had to be alert blocking Daniel Masons shot inside the box as Sholing tried to take control of the game.

On 20 minutes there was a break in the game when Hainault suffered a blow to the face and left the field temporarily for a blood injury.  At the same time Swans striker Jamie Martin suffering from a hamstring problem was replaced by substitute Johan Flo.  

While down to ten men the Swans defended well Adams pulling off a point blank save from Daniel Mason before Hainault returned to the field a few minutes later despite suffering from a broken nose.

The introduction of Flo gave the visitors a boost in pace and skill up front and his shot from the edge of the box just cleared the cross bar.  On the half hour mark Sholing put two dangerous free kicks into the Slimbridge box, the first one Adams claimed the second one headed wide by Byron Mason.

The Swans took the lead on 35 minutes, Dan King finding space down the left flank and his cross was met by Edjidja Mbunga at the far post to slam the ball into the roof of the net.  A couple of minutes later Stuart Green saw his shot from the edge of the box deflected wide as the hosts looked to get back into the game before half time.

The second half continued to be a fast flowing game of football with both sides looking to push forward in search of a goal.  On 49 minutes, Prictor made an important block from Miller while Adams claimed a high ball into the box from a free kick a few moments later.

At the other end Flo went on a mazy run beating a number of players before unleashing a fierce strike that hit the base of the post and away for a goal kick as the Swans started to up the tempo.

On the hour mark of the game, Flo again on a run into the box on the left beat one defender before being taken down by home keeper Ryan Gosney and gaining a penalty for the visitors.  King stepped up and hit the ball low to the keepers left, Gosney however guessed the right way and made a comfortable save.

Slimbridge continued to press forward and a well-deserved second goal came along after 75 minutes.  Flo and Kings linked up on the left, Kings cross found Jay Malshanskyj running in at the far post to head through the hands of Gosney.

Two minutes later Kings shot from distance was tipped over the bar by Gosney followed by a series of corners as the visitors continued to pile pressure on the home side.  A breakaway from the Swans box with just less than ten minutes remaining broke down with three Slimbridge players bearing down on goal. 

Deep in injury time Adams punched a Sholing corner clear under pressure in a packed box to preserve the visitors lead and return home with three value league points.

At Thornhill Park the newly formed reserves started their season in fine style beating neighbours Shortwood United reserves 4-0, with two goals each from Aaron Goulty and Ethan Dunbar.

On Wednesday, The Swans first team face Bristol Manor Farm at home before travelling to Devon to face Bideford in a rearranged match while the reserves travel to Moreton Rangers.

Slimbridge: L Adams, A Hainault, B Prictor, M Turner, C Turner, J White, J Malshanskyj, M Ford (D Turner 90+1), J Martin (J Flo 20), D King (J Stokes 90_1), E Mbunga 

Unused Subs: B Deakin, N Humphreys

Goals: E Mbunga 35, J Malshanskyj 75

Attendance: 220

Supporters player of the match: Ben Prictor