Swans gain a point on the road

After a long trip down to Devon, the Swans were met by high winds and heavy rain that had a big impact on the match most notably for both keepers kicking game.  The visitors made a couple of changes from the midweek defeat to Bristol Manor Farm with Will Hawes replacing the injured Danny King and Joe Stokes replacing Mike Ford in the midfield.

An early scare for the visitors saw Joel White making a great tackle on Ryan Turner inside the box to deny the home side a goal scoring opportunity. Slimbridge countered and after some good interplay between Johan Flo and Edji Mbunga, Will Hawes struck from the edge of the box to beat home keeper Liam Kingston to give the visitors a 7th minute lead.

Four minutes later the Swans extended their lead Jay Malshanskyj picking the ball up on the left flank and with the wind behind him fired into the top left corner off the underside of the bar from 40 yards out.  

The visitors continued to play some good football on the deck with Bideford keeper Kingston struggling with his kicking into the strong wind and very often finding the touchline much to the amusement of the vocal traveling supporters.

George Nancekivell attempt from distance just cleared the bar on 17 minutes as the home side looked to come back into the game.  

A few minutes later Toby Down shot over from a corner.  A Swans break half way through the first half saw Joe Stokes find Malshanskyj on the left, his cross into the box was cleared.

Malshanskyj again causing Bideford problems down the left ran into the box and managed to round Kingston but his cross was again cut out by the host defence.  With just over ten minutes left of the first half, Nancekivell headed on a free kick for the home side this was chested down in the box by Nick Milton but Lewis Adams was quick off his line to claim the ball.

After a spell of pressure in the Bideford half, Stokes and Flo linked up on the left, Flo cross just evaded Hawes waiting at the far post.  Just before half time the visitors got a goal back after some poor defending from the Swans, Adam Carter was left in space to score inside the six yard box.

Slimbridge started the second half well with Malshanskyj breaking away down field after a corner for Bideford was cleared.  Unfortunately he ran out of steam as he reached the edge of the box and his weak shot was saved well by Kingston.

A few minutes later Adams bravely claimed the ball at the feet of Ryan Turner just inside the penalty area.  Nancekivell sent in a fierce drive from outside the box and despite being on target it was deflected wide by one of his team mates.

With 57 minutes gone, Hawes cross from the right was cut out by Kingston at the far post with Flo and Mbunga waiting.  

A couple of minutes later Ben Deakin did well to head away Charlie Lawrences cross at the far post under pressure.

With twenty minutes left, Myron Turner put Malshanskyj through but Kingston was out quickly to claim the ball.  Adams did well a few moments later to thwart Ryan Turner who had burst through the middle.

On 73 minutes Malshanskyj had a glorious chance to sew the game up latching onto Hawes through ball but failed to beat Kingston from close range.  Three minutes later White headed off the line to preserve the visitors slender lead.

Bideford levelled the score on 80 minutes, Adams initially saving Lewis Wilsons 20 yard strike but the ball fell kindly to Carter who made no mistake from close range.  

Slimbridge left feeling like they should have taken all three points but considering the tough conditions and this was the first time they had taken points from Bideford away from home they would have settled for this result prior to the game.

The Swans continue their league campaign with the first team travelling to Highworth Town on Wednesday and then return home on Saturday to face Barnstaple Town.  The unbeaten reserves continue their travels to face Shipston Excelsior on Saturday and the Under 18s host Bristol Central on Sunday at the British Legion playing fields.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, B Prictor, M Turner, C Turner, J White, J Malshanskyj, J Stokes (D Turner 87), W Hawes (M Ford 77), J Flo, E Mbunga (N Humphreys 87)

Subs not used: N Tilling, O Giles

Attendance: 179

Supporters man of the match: Joel White