Two goals in five first half minutes saw Highworth Town maintain their undefeated record this season against the Swans, a result which saw Highworth rise to third in the Hellenic League table while Slimbridge dropped to fifth. 

Joint Manager Tom Deakin said after the game that Slimbridge’s lack of a clinical edge was ultimately the deciding factor between two closely matched sides – ‘I think the performance matched Friday night (the win at (Pershore Town), but I don’t think the clinical nature of what we can do matched it, and that was the difference. On Friday night, we won 2-0, we were clinical, took chances and defended well, and tonight, Highworth have taken their couple of chances and defended very well.’

Both teams created chances early on, with Luke Whelan forcing a good save from Slimbridge Keeper Ellis Parker with eight minutes on the clock, while at the other end, a good passing move involving Elliott Gardner and jack Smith saw Edji Mbunga’s effort well blocked by a Highworth defender. 

The chances continued to arrive in both penalty boxes – a probing cross from Rudi Mckinnon saw no-one following up as the ball shot across the goal, Charlie Hitchings was just off target with a header, before Riegan Cook’s header at the other end was also wide. 

Mbunga and Smith were next to create an opportunity, but Highworth Keeper Connor Johns made a sharp stop to gather Smith’s cross. 

On 19 minutes, a header from Highworth’s Ryan Morgan was off target following a free kick, while McKinnon and Gardner both went close with efforts on the Highworth goal. 

On 32 minutes, Bogdan Mara was penalised for a very soft looking foul on Tom Griffiths, and despite Parker getting his hands to Sol Pryce’s spot kick, the home side took the lead. 

As Highworth looked to press home their advantage, the second goal came five minutes later – despite Charlie Hitching making a goalline clearance, the ball fell in the box to Cook, who drilled it in to double Highworth’s lead.

The second period saw the game of ping pong continue – Griffiths was just off target for Highworth after good work by Cook, while at the other end, Sam Backie saw a dangerous effort blocked as he closed in on goal. 

Highworth had a couple of chances on the hour mark to put the game to bed, but Price’s effort went wide off the outside of the Slimbridge post, before Whelan found himself through on goal, and decided to cross the ball into space rather than attempt an effort himself, with none of his teammates keeping up with him.

As the game entered the last 20 minutes, Smith shaved the Highworth goalpost, but the home side were controlling the game and creating the better chances – Whelan had a header go just wide, before Michal Miller again went close with a good effort, and in stoppage time, Josh Davis was just too high with a good effort. 

Tom Deakin was positive after the final whstle – ‘We started strong, and could have done better with the couple of chances we had, and they’ve taken their two main chances – I don’t think it was a penalty, but I think they should have had two others in the first half anyway, and the second goal was our own downfall, it was too easy for them to score that sort of goal.

In the second half, we created chances, but there wasn’t an end product. We changed a little bit of focus on what we wanted to do and how we wanted to go about things, and the lads did that and it showed for the first 15 minutes. Smithy was unlucky to just graze the post, George and Elliott look a threat for us, and Theo did well out wide. We did what we wanted to do, and unfortunately it didn’t fall our way.’

Slimbridge return to Thornhill Park on Saturday when they entertain Lydney Town in a Hellenic League Premier fixture.

On Tuesday night, the Under 18 side defeated Evesham United Under 18’s in an action packed game at Thornhill Park. Two goals from Kieran Bennett, and one each from Will and James Tainton saw the Swans home, for a result that sees them sitting in Ninth place in the CYFL Gloucestershire Floodlit League. 

Next up for the Under 18’s is a S Turier & Son Cup Tie, when they travel to Lydney Town (October 25^th, 7.30pm)

Team: Parker, Hunt, Thomas, Hands, Hitchings, Mara (Mills 90+4), McKinnon (Neill 59), Blackie, Gardener, Smith (Hawes 75), Mbunga (Clayson 59)

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Bogdan Mara