Slimbridge maintained their 100% win record in the Hellenic Premier League in 2024 with their third win on the bounce, on a very difficult pitch at Cinderford Town. It took both teams a while to adjust to the conditions, but two second half goals from Rudi McKinnon at both ends of the half saw the Swans return back from the Forest with another three points. The result see them move up to seventh in the League, a point off one of the play off positions. 

Joint Manager Tom Deakin was understandably pleased speaking after the game – ‘It was a polished away performance, a good 2-0 win. To be fair, I don’t think we gave them a sniff in the second half, and to get the second goal later on just sealed the performance for us. 

I thought the pitch made it a bit rocky at times, it was hard in places and quite soft in others, but what we said at halftime was that we have got to maintain the good things that we were doing, and make sure we enhance and improve them in the final third. 

I highlighted Rudi at Half Time, his workrate was superb – and I said that if we maintained the workrate, we would get something from the game, and that’s exactly what happened second half. The lads stuck to the plan well, and it showed in the second half. 

Nath got a good ninety under his belt, it’s been a while since he’s actually been able to do that in the league, I think the whole back line from start to finish deserve credit – Hunty was superb, he was outstanding, I don’t think they actually put a ball into the box his side all game, Char won a lot of headers and his control at the back was good and Myron, the same. 

Handsy in the middle of the park was brilliant, George with his hold up play, you can go through the whole team, it was one of those games when everyone put a shift in and did their job.’

On a sand covered pitch, there was very little to recommend the first half of this game – most of the best of the chances went to the visitors – Sam Blackie had an effort that was too high after a period of Swans’ pressure with nine minutes on the clock, and then George Neill was unlucky when he lobbed Ex-Slimbridge Keeper Lewis Adams on a break, only to see his effort cleared by a covering defender.

Just before the half hour, Neill and Ben Hands both had efforts blocked, before Hands was unlucky to hit the roof of the Cinderford net with an effort from 25 years on 39 minutes. 

Cinderford’s best effort came just before the break, Craig Norman’s effort was deflected for a corner, with Dan Barnard heading the resulting kick over the bar, leaving the scores level at the Half. 

After the break, it took only two minutes of the second period for Slimbridge to break the deadlock – Adams miskicked his clearance under pressure from Theo Clayson, and Neill’s resulting shot came back into play off the Cinderford post. It looked like the chance may have been lost, but Rudi McKinnon found the net from a tight angle to convert the rebound. 

After Neill had another shot blocked, and Neill and McKinnon had both had effort ping across the Cinderford box, it looked like the single goal was going to settle the game.

But with four minutes remaining, another ball into the Cinderford was converted by McKinnon for his second, and despite late Cinderford pressure, and six additional minutes of stoppage time, Slimbridge held out to collect a well deserved three points. 

The Swans are in GFA Challenge Trophy action on Tuesday when they travel to Moreton Rangers for a second round tie (7.45pm). On Saturday they travel to Worcester Raiders for another League encounter.

The Under 18 side are at home to Tuffley Rovers on Monday (7.30pm) at Thornhill Park in a league encounter. 

Team: Parker, Turner, Hunt, Hands, Dennis, Hitchings, McKinnon, Blackie, Neill, Smith, (Mara 79) Clayson (Mbunga 86)

Goals: McKinnon 47, 86

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Nath Dennis