99.9% of the 784 fans packed inside Worcester City’s Cains Lane ground on Saturday fully expected to be celebrating breaking a new club record of 12 straight wins that was set 46 years previously. With the side well on track to win the Hellenic Premier League, and attendance figures that absolutely dwarf the rest of the League, this game was generally seen as a formality by the Worcester City faithful, although obviously not by the management team and club staff.

Much to the vocal frustration of the home supporters, they saw a Slimbridge team that had not come to roll over as they had expected, and who took the lead, and having being pegged back, defended superbly to collect a fully deserved point, and thwart their ambitions. 

After a goalless first half that was understandably dominated largely by the home side, Slimbridge stunned their hosts with a stunning strike from Theo Clayson on 52 minutes. With Jamie Insall levelling things up for the home side 15 minutes later, a very soft and subsequently missed penalty from Isak Reid on 85 minutes saw Slimbridge leave Worcester with a well deserved point.

As was to be expected, the home side pressed from the kick off, and made all the early opportunities – Insall had a header just over the bar with two minutes on the clock, and then was unlucky four minutes later when his overhead kick evaded Ellis Parker and rebounded back off the post into the Slimbridge Keeper’s arms.

It was all Worcester as Liam Lockett was just wide and then Connor Gater’s header was just off target as Worcester pressed, but the Swans successfully survived the first 15 minutes. 

Theo Clayson had the best opportunity on the half hour for Slimbridge, but rushed his shot and drilled his effort too high. 

Worcester had another good chance after a superb block from Parker to Kirk Layton’s effort, but Elliott Hartley blazed the rebound over the bar on 37 minutes.

Seven minutes into the second period, Slimbridge stunned their hosts – superb hold up play from Will Hawes saw him drift in from the left flank and play in Theo Clayson, who drilled the ball past Haydyn Whitcombe to put the visitors into a shock lead. 

The Swans then had two glorious chances to increase their lead, but good defending saw firstly Myron Turner and then Hawes see their efforts off target. 

As Worcester turned up the pressure, on 66 minutes, Insall was allowed two much space in the Slimbridge box and converted a cross with a neat header to level things up. 

It was then backs to the wall time for Slimbridge as the home side pressed for the win – Izak Reid went close with a shot inside the box, and urged on by the home crowd, as the game approached the final five minutes, Reid went down in the Slimbridge box and Referee Christopher Kidd awarded the home side a penalty. 

Reid picked himself up to blast the ball high over the Swans crossbar, and despite seven minutes of added time, Slimbridge held on to record a creditable draw, and frustrate their hosts, much to the delight of their travelling support. 

Slimbridge are back in action on Wednesday (29^th November 7.45pm) when they entertain Hereford Pegasus in the Marsh (UHL) Challenge Cup. Slimbridge travel back to Hereford to meet Westfield in their next Hellenic League Encounter on Saturday December 2^nd (3.00pm)

The night before their Cup tie  (28^th November 7.30pm), The Under 18’s host Longlevens Under 18s in the HFA Giantkillers Cup. 

Team: Parker, Hunt, Prictor, Blackie, Hitchings, Mara, McKinnon (Reeves 71), Hands, Hawes (Neill 69), Turner, Clayson (Mbunga 78)

Goals: Clayson 52

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Charlie Hitchings