Flo double extends Swans unbeaten run

Slimbridge extended their unbeaten league run to three games this week with two useful points on the road and three at home against a tricky Barnstaple side.  The win was marred by an unfortunate injury late in the game when Jack Twyman suffered a dislocated shoulder just three minutes after entering the game.  We all wish him well for a speedy recovery.

It was not a pretty game to watch as the home side failed to get their passing rhythm going early on as they have in previous games.  It was the visitors that had the first chance on 8 minutes when former Swan Tornado Bello fired over just inside the box and subsequently colliding with team mate Theo Ofori who after treatment was able to continue.

The home side scored with their first attack on goal 5 minutes later, Mike Ford forcing a good save from keeper Adam Seedhouse-Evans however the ball fell kindly to Johan Flo who made no mistake in firing into the far corner.

Midway through the half Seedhouse-Evans was called into action saving a shot from Edji Mbunga and then a minute later pushing a Ford header around the post that looked destined for the top right corner.

Craig Kingswell’s corss into the box on 36 minutes was tipped away to safety by Lewis Adams.  The subsequent corner was blocked and then Adams claimed the next corner as Barnstaple looked for a way back into the game.

It was the Swans that pounced 4 minutes later, Jay Malshanskyj providing a pin point cross for Flo to strike home from the edge of the box to double the lead.  On the stoke of half time Brian Levien pulled off a spectacular overhead kick for the visitors to hook the ball off the line after Stokes had sent a delightful chip into the box. 

Barnstaple started the second half well, Edward Ndi who replaced the struggling Ofori late in the first half sending a long range effort over the bar.  A mistake from Joel White let in Bello but Adams stuck out a foot to save his close range shot.  

A flurry of pressure from the Swans saw Malshanskyj hit an effort at Seedhouse-Evans then moments later Mbunga beating two defenders forced another save from the visiting keeper to give Slimbridge a corner.  The initial corner was cleared to Mbunga his powerful cross from the right through the box was met by White at the far post slamming the ball into the net to increase the Swans lead.

Straight from the kick off the visitors took advantage of a sleepy home defence with Bello firing past Adams from the edge of the box to reduce the arrears.

The Swans were reduced to 10 men for the last few minutes losing Jack Twyman to injury having used all three subs but this failed to knock the home side as Will Hawes latched onto a loose ball inside the visitors box deep in injury time to give the home side a hard earned victory.

This week sees cup action for the first team with another trip to Bideford next weekend in the Buildbase FA Trophy also in cup action are the reserves taking on Hellenic Premier front runners Westfields on Wednesday night at home in the Challenge Cup.

Slimbridge: L Adams, A Hainault, B Prictor (N Humphreys 77), M Turner, C Turner, J White, J Flo, M Ford, J Malshanskyj, J Stokes (J Twyman 84), E Mbunga (W Hawes 74) 

Unused Subs: B Deakin, D King

Goals: J Flo 13, 40, J White 61, W Hawes 90+3

Attendance: 83

Supporters man of the match: Johan Flo