The Swans snapped a sequence of three games without a win, as they dominated Tuffley Rovers at Thornhill Park in this Hellenic League matchup. Taking charge of the game with a goal as early as the second minute, two more first half goals from George Neill and Jack Smith saw the game dead and buried by Half Time. 

A late goal from Elliott Gardner made it four, but Tuffley pulled back a consolation goal in stoppage time at the end of a one sided contest. The results sees the Swans sitting in sixth spot in the Hellenic Premier League as the season moves into October. 

Adam Coyle and Ben Deakin had asked their side to make a fast start, and Slimbridge immediately started well on the front foot. 

Before the game had even settled down, the home side were ahead – Edji Mbunga, who put in a Man of the Match display on the flank, lofted a cross to Rudi McKinnon in space in the Tuffley box, and he headed the ball past former Slimbridge Keeper Luke Merchant to start the scoring. 

Tuffley were never given the opportunity to settle into a rhythm, and the early exchanges were dominated by Slimbridge – McKinnon set up Sam Blackie, who missed a golden chance with an air shot in the eighth minute, and McKinnon was just off target three minutes later with another good shot. 

After McKinnon saw a further effort saved by Merchant, Tuffley had their first effort on goal with 17 minutes on the clock, when Henry Birkett was just off target. 

But the action continued to be all at the other end of the pitch – McKinnon and Mbunga were causing chaos down the Tuffley flanks, and combined well again for anther Mbunga cross that was too close to Merchant, who gathered as Neill closed in.

On the half hour mark, it was Myron Turner’s turn to go close, after a probing cross from Ben Prictor reached him at the far post, but again, the effort was just off target. 

Four minutes later though, the lead was doubled – Jack Smith’s cross was fumbled by Merchant, and although it looked as if the ball was dropping in, Neill walked it into the net to make sure and score the second of the afternoon. 

Ben Hands then had two efforts off target – a header from Smith’s cross and then a shot wide after more good work from Mbunga, before Neill was just off target with another header. 

It was no surprise when the third goal arrived, with a minute to go in the half. Again, Mbunga was the architect, supplying a dangerous cross that Smith converted to leave the Swans in complete control at the break.

The second half was, perhaps understandably, a quieter affair as Slimbridge controlled the game to conserve their lead, but there were still chances at both ends. 

McKinnon was close with a shot on 47 minutes, before Connor Walters had two good chances for Tuffley – firstly his effort was blocked for a corner, and then his header from the kick brought a good save from Ellis Parker to deny him. 

Slimbridge continued to create opportunities, although the tempo of the game had slowed considerably from the first half – Mbunga’s cross saw a scramble before Neill saw Merchant grab the ball at his feet, before Prictor tried his luck from distance, seeing his effort ping just over on the hour mark.

On 64 minutes, Smith’s saved effort was converted on the rebound by Gardner, but he was denied by the offside flag. 

Slimbridge had a golden opportunity to increase their lead on 67 minutes, when Gardner’s mazy run saw him tripped in the Tuffley box, but Merchant guessed right and easily save Charlie Hitching’s spot kick. 

Gardner, who had replaced Neill on the hour mark, was proving a real danger to the Tuffley defence, and brought a good save from Merchant with another effort as the game moved into the last 20 minutes. 

Walters continued to be effective for Tuffley, and forced another good stop from Parker as Tuffley pressed for a late consolation. 

Gardner was again just off target before a superb diagonal ball from Prictor set up Theo Clayson with three minutes left on the clock, but Merchant made a good stop as Clayson’s

shot headed for the bottom corner. 

A minute later, the identical move saw Clayson’s effort spilled this time by Merchant, and Gardner was on hand to sweep home the loose ball, and record a well deserved fourth for Slimbridge. 

There was time for Tuffley to finally pick up a goal in the second minute of stoppage time, Tomas Shyamapant’s cross was converted by Walters, but it was no more than a consolation. 

Speaking after the game, Joint Manager Tom Deakin was understandably pleased with his side – ‘It was a good reaction – local derbies are always tough, and we had the perfect start. It was good to get three points on the board. 

We expected Tuffley to be set up defensively, and so we wanted to get out quick at them, and not give them time to settle, and so to score after a couple of minutes was ideal for us.

Then we just kept going – the second half was about manging the game and making sure we finished the game with the three points. 

Deakin agreed with the fans’ choice of Edji Mbunga as Man of the match – ‘Edji’s first half was superb – that’s more of what we want to see from him -he has getting in behind the full back and getting balls into the box, and of course, two assists as well.

George (Neill)’s hold up play was superb, and Elliot (Gardner) off the bench showed what a good signing he’s going to be. He showed pace and power and deservedly got his goal at the end. 

When you look at the game as a whole, I don’t think, apart from scoring in injury time, I don’t really remember Ellis being tested. Our back four today was very strong and very assertive, and defended very well at every thing that was thrown at them. They deserve credit today as well.’

Slimbridge travel to fifth placed Pershore Town on Friday (6^th October, 7.45pm) for another highly anticipated League encounter.

The Slimbridge Under 18 side progressed in the GFA County Cup U18 Shield on Sunday, with a hard fought 4-3 victory over Churchdown Panthers Youth. 

Freddie Harris scored the first Slimbridge goal before a Will Tainton Hat Trick saw them into the next round, when they will face Leckhampton. Details of that game will be announced in due course. 

The young Swans travel to Hereford Pegasus Under 18’s on Tuesday (October 3^rd, 7.30pm).

Slimbridge are also hosting the Reg Davis Cup Final on Wednesday (October 4^th) at Thornhill Park, when Swans’ legend Jamie Martin will bring his Brockworth Albion side to face Tredworth Tigers. The game kicks off at 7.30pm.

Team: Parker, Mara, Prictor, Turner, Hitchings, Blackie, McKinnon (Dashfield 71), Hands, Neill (Gardner 60), Smith (Clayson 71), Mbunga

Goals: McKinnon 2, Neill 34, Smith 43, Gardner 89

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Edji Mbunga