Slimbridge recorded their second victory in a week against a team from Hereford, building on the New Year’s Days win at Pegasus, with two second half goals in five minutes that saw off Lad’s Club at Thornhill Park. 

Club officials, including Management and Team members were all working on the Thornhill Park pitch to clear the standing water on the pitch up until the morning of the game, but their efforts were rewarded. 

In a largely uneventful game, highlights were hard to find, but eventually, goals from Rudi McKinnon and Edji Mbunga saw Slimbridge clinch the points, a result which sees them remain in eighth position in the Hellenic Premier League. 

The early exchanges were all Slimbridge – in the second minute, Theo Clayson played in Jack Smith who was just off target, and then McKinnon and Pele Kouisseoue set up Smith, whose effort across the Lads Club goal evaded all the oncoming Slimbridge players. 

An identical move, this time originated by Sam Blackie, saw Smith again deliver a cross which was not converted. 

Lads Club’s first effort took 17 minutes to arrive, when a good block from Ben Hands prevented a Matt James effort from troubling Ellis Parker in the Slimbridge goal. 

Just before the half hour, Lads Club had their best spell, when it took a great save from Parker to deny Levi Ellis, with the resulting corner being header over by Jamie Cuthbertson, leaving the game goalless at the break. 

Chances were few and far between after the break as well – James had another shot saved by Parker for Lads Club, while Smith went close after a deflected shot from Kouisseoue was spilled by Hereford Keeper Toby Bobryzcki.

On the hour, Mason Godsall was just too high with a great effort for the visitors, but on 73 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken by the Swans. 

Myron Turner’s effort was saved by Bobryzcki, but as the ball ran loose in the Lads Club box, McKinnon was on hand to smash the ball home and put Slimbridge into the lead. 

Five minutes later, it was two – Harrison Reeves put in a dangerous cross that eluded Bobryzcki and fell for Edji Mbunga to convert and double the lead. 

The teams played out the final 15 minutes with few chances to show for their efforts, although Godsall was wide with an effort in the fourth minute of stoppage time for Lads Club, and Slimbridge hung on comfortably to collect the win. 

Speaking after the game, Theo Clayson was pleased with the effort of the team – ‘I thought we did really well, it was a hard fought win in the end. The first half, it was a bit rough, but in the second we fought through to get the three points. 

I think the people working on the pitch did a really good job, although it was sticky. Obviously the weather’s not ideal, but overall we did enough to get the win. 

Smithy in the second half was really good, going forward and obviously Myron – he did really well today getting the ball back and getting us going. We’re pleased with the result.’

Slimbridge are in Marsh Challenge Cup action on Tuesday (January 9^th, 7.45pm) when they travel to Fairford Town. They then return to League action next Saturday (13^th, 3.00pm) when they travel to Cinderford Town.

The Under 18’s game away at Longlevens on Monday (8^th) was postponed and they are next back in action on Monday 15^th (7.45pm) when they entertain Tuffley Rovers at Thornhill Park.

Team: Parker, Hunt, Prictor, Blackie (Mara 80), Hitchings, Hands, McKinnon (Mbunga 73), Turner, Kouisseoue (Reeves 59),  Smith, Clayson

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Jack Smith