With five new signings in the squad Slimbridge were looking to start the new season with confidence having finished last season in the playoffs in a season cut short by Covid restrictions.

The Swans could not have predicted a better start, Lewis Adams passing the ball out to Ben Deakin on the right who surged forward down the flank.  Deakin found Jamie Martin in space by the touch line, Martin’s cross to the far side of the box was met by the on rushing Marley Thomas to riffle the ball high into the net giving the visitors the lead with only 3 minutes on the clock.

Slimbridge continued to make chances with Martin heading wide from Thomas’s cross.  The home side however looked dangerous on the break with the Swans defence having to deal with the height of forwards Alex Lambert and Sam Crumb.

It was Crumb that pulled the Larks level on 12 minutes, tapping home the loose ball after Harry Simmons header came back off the bar.  Six minutes later the home side took the lead, Mathew Britton scrambling home a corner.

The Swans pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Deakin, Myron Turner, Thomas and Toby Lawrence all having shots blocked leading towards the end of the half.  However they were grateful for Adams tipping Tom Fry’s 30 yard effort over the bar.

The second half started well for the Swans, Thomas running into the box from the left but his shot was smothered at the near post by home 

keeper Shaun Semmens.  Will Hawes managed to evade a number of the home defence before firing a weak shot at Semmens.  Moment later Semmens blocked a shot from Hawes as he advanced into the box from the right.

With 54 minutes played, new boy Nathan Dennis headed an effort from the home side off the line with Adams beaten.  Thomas had a glorious chance to pull a goal back on 63 minutes, Ben Hands chipped a delightful ball over the Larks defence for Thomas to collect and with just the Semmens to beat fired his shot straight at the keeper.

The points were sealed by the home side on 74 minutes, Crumb firing his second past Adams from the edge of the box.  Substitute Jordan Annear almost pulled a goal back on the stroke of time skewing his shot wide from inside the box.

The Swans start their home campaign on Wednesday evening with a visit from Winchester City, the game kicks off at 7:45pm.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, N Dennis, B McLean, B Hands, T Lawrence, J Martin, M Ford, W Hawes, M Turner, M Thomas

Subs Used: E Mbunga, J Annear, A Price

Goals: M Thomas 2

Attendance: 135

Supporters player of the match: Ben Deakin