Two quick goals sink Swans

Slimbridge entered the game on the back of a five league game unbeaten run however they failed to get there passing game going today and conceding two goals in three minutes midway through the second half meant that run comes to an end.

Early on both sides looked to try and get forward, a long clearance from Lewis Adams found Jamie Martin in space to cross into the path of Dan King but his shot was straight at keeper Aaron Sainsbury.  A few minutes later Daniel Dempseys effort from the edge of the box sailed wide of the post.  

The Swans were unlucky not to take the lead on 16 minutes, Johan Flo collected the ball down the left his cross fell to Martin who’s first time shot was deflected onto the bar and out for a corner.

On 28 minutes a break from the visitors saw Will Hawes cross find King his flick goal wards was saved off the line by Sainsbury, Martins follow up was diverted for a corner which Martin curled into the box and onto the roof of the net.  At the other end a long range shot from Daniel Cottle forced a fine save from Adams, and then Adams was on hand to punch the corner clear.

It was Paulton however that took the lead on 33 minutes, Ryan Gay firing a cross from the right Ben Deakin attempted to hook the ball off the line but it deflected off his foot and into the net.  Slimbridge pushed forward and a deserved equaliser came on 42 minutes Hawes free kick dropped to Martin and his shot was spectacularly tipped over by Sainsbury who appeared to take a knock in the process.  The resulting corner fell to Hawes on the edge of the box and his strike rising over the crowd of players in the box found its way into the back of the net.  At first it looked like the goal was not going to be given, but after consultation with his assistant on the far side the referee signalled a goal.

Slimbridge initially started well in the second half, Flo hitting a shot just wide of the post but it was the home side that appeared to step up a gear and pushed the Swans back Gay firing a shot at Adams on the hour mark.

On 66 minutes Myron Turner conceded an unfortunate penalty, as he tracked back into the box he pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury at the same time tripping the Paulton player.  David O’Hare stepped up and send Adams the wrong way to put the home side back into the lead.

Two minutes later the home side doubled their lead, Will Hailstone beat a number of Slimbridge players and delicately lifted his shot over Adams and into the net.

With just over 10 minutes remaining Nick Humphreys hit a shot wide from the edge of the box as the Swans tried to pulled a goal back.  On 82 minutes Adams pulled off a great stop when substitute Liban Ibrahim broke through the defence and looked destined to score. Ibrahim then put a strike just wide of the post from inside the box.

A last chance consolation for the visitors failed to materialise as Deakin broke down the right finding Ethan Dunbar in the centre but the youngsters effort was straight at the keeper.

With the Prime Minister announcing a nationwide lock down in the evening after the game, Slimbridge now await the decision from the DCMS and Southern League to when they will next be in action.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, N Humphries, A Hainualt, O Giles, J White, J Flo (E Mbunga 78), M Turner (M Ford 66), W Hawes, D King, J Martin (E Dunbar 78)

Subs not used: B Prictor

Goals: Hawes 42

Attendance: 125

Supporter’s man of the match: Nick Humphreys