Slimbridge slipped to their second home defeat of the season on Tuesday to Hellenic League Leaders Corsham Town. The result leaves the Swans in fifth position in the League, albeit that other clubs around them have games in hand.

Corsham took the lead in first half stoppage time when Neikell Plummer converted a late first half penalty, and Dan Price doubled the lead for the visitors on the hour mark. George Neill pulled a goal back for the Swans on 72 minutes, but a good strike from Kane Simpson saw the visitors seal the points with three minutes remaining. 

Slimbridge made the better start in a game that was constantly interrupted by Referee Andrew Insley, with an early scramble in the Corsham box not being converted, and a good run from Marley Thomas being blocked.

It was a quarter of an hour in before the visitors had their first attempt on target, but James Rusby’s effort was too high. 

As the game approached the half hour mark, the visitors began to take the ascendance – Plummer had a shot deflected for a corner, before Dan Demkiv had another close effort deflected wide. 

In the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, Shaq Smith was fouled by Nathan Dennis on the edge of the Slimbridge box, and after the referee consulted with his linesman, who had not initially indicated a penalty, the visitors were awarded a spot kick, converted well by Plummer to put Corsham ahead at the break. 

The second half saw Slimbridge again create chances – a superb ball from Marley Thomas set up Theo Clayson, but his effort was blocked. 

On the hour mark though, Corsham doubled their lead. A long throw into the Slimbridge box saw Dan Price loop a header over Ellis Parker to put the visitors two goals ahead. 

Slimbridge made immediate changes, with Edji Mbunga replacing Clayson, and Jack Smith coming on for Ben Prictor, and the momentum of the game changed. 

After Ellis Parker had made good stops from Plummer on two occasions, a turn and shot from George Neill pulled a goal back for the hosts, and it was game on for the last 20 mintes or so. 

Thomas had a shot deflected for a corner and Charlie Hitchings had a header wide after a good cross from Joe Hunt as Slimbridge pressed for the equaliser.

As they pressed forward though, a Corsham break with three minutes remaining saw Kane Simpson drill the ball past Parker to seal the win for Corsham. 

There was still time for further action, as Corsham Keeper Alfie Kelsey floored Marley Thomas in the box, resulting in another penalty, this time for the Swans, but Rudi McKinnon’s effort was well blocked by Kelsey, leaving the League Leaders to celebrate another victory at the final whistle.

Joint Manager Adam Coyle was realistic at the final whistle – ‘We’re upbeat in the dressing room. It doesn’t feel like a 3-1. We rolled the dice a little bit at 2-1, and it was either going to be 2 all or 3-1, and it didn’t fall our way. But it was superb reaction second half, we were much better than we were in the first, and the positives for us are the second half really.’

Coyle was also impressed with the contribution of George Neill, returning to the side after his horrific concussion injury, earlier in the season and now with two goals in his two appearances since his return – ‘It’s great to have George back, it’s good that he’s scoring – obviously he had a horrendous injury and we missed him. It forced us to bring Hawesy (Will Hawes) back earlier than we’d have wanted to, but it’s great to have him back – he really leads the line well, and is a proper number nine.’

On Saturday Slimbridge turn their attention to the FA Vase, when they travel to Highworth Town (3.00pm), and they stay on the road the following Tuesday (September 26^th, 7.45pm) when they visit Fairford Town for another League encounter. 

Team: Parker, Hunt, Prictor (Smith 59), Hands, Dennis, Hitchings, McKinnon, Blackie, Neill, Clayson (Mbunga 59), Thomas

Goals: Neill 72

Supporters Man of the Match: Nathan Dennis