Slimbridge returned from Southbank with a point they would certainly have settled for before the game, but will rue some missed chances to have taken all three points from the side who now top the Hellenic Premier League. 

In front of an implausibly stated crowd of 472 by the home side, which would have made it the sixth highest attendance Slimbridge had ever played in front of, George Neill’s first half strike saw the visitors ahead at the break, and although Owen Humphries pulled a goal back with seventeen minutes remaining, the hosts will certainly be looking at the result as two points dropped, as they now lead Worcester City by a single point, although having played five games more. 

Slimbridge had by far the better of the early exchanges, and after a cagey opening, had a decent shout for a penalty turned down by Referee Keith Simpson, when Myron Turner appeared to take an elbow to the face as he went for a cross with just eight minutes on the clock. 

After Rudi McKinnon has a good effort blocked, good work from Sam Blackie and Bogdan Mara saw Blackie miscue his effort. 

Corsham’s attempt in the first half hour were restricted to a header from a corner by Brandon Mundy which was off target. Two minutes later, Shiyak Sutherland’s cross was met by the head of Mara, but he was just off target as Slimbridge pressed. 

On 32 minutes, the deadlock was broken – some great running from McKinnon sent George Neill through on goal, and he slid the ball past Corsham Keeper Alfie Kelsey to put the visitors ahead. 

Corsham were still dangerous though, and it took a good close range save from Ellis Parker which then saw Mark Cooper too high with his effort to keep the scoreline in Slimbridge’s favour. 

Slimbridge had a couple of other opportunities before the break to increase their lead, but Sutherland and then McKinnon were unlucky to be unable to convert chances.

The second half saw Slimbridge continue to dominate, much to the frustration of the home side, and with just five minutes played, a superb run by Neill saw his shot deflected by Keeper Kelsey onto his post and back into play. 

Corsham also had their moments – Mara’s superb block denied Cooper’s effort, while at the other end, Ben Hands was too high with a long range effort on 55 minutes. 

A superb double save from Parker denied Corsham an equaliser three minutes later, when he denied firstly James Rusby and then Kye Simpson. 

At the other end, McKinnon was just too high with a free kick following a foul on Sutherland, as a very entertaining game swung from end to end. 

On 63 minutes, Brandon Mundy was too high with his effort, although shortly afterwards, Slimbridge felt they had another good penalty shout, when Neill was pulled down in the Corsham box, but again, Referee Simpson was not impressed. 

With 17 minutes remaining, Corsham got their goal back – a through ball saw Humphries steal the ball from Parker, and convert to level things up. 

In the last ten minutes, both sides could have nicked it – Parker made a superb save from George Box’s header before Kelsey made a point blank stop from Blackie’s point blank effort. 

Slimbridge had the final opportunity to nick all three points, but having lobbed the Keeper, Marley Thomas saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line in stoppage time, leaving the sides level at the final whistle.

Speaking after the game, Supporters Club Man of the Match Craig Mills was in a positive mood – ‘I think we’re slightly disappointed we didn’t take the three points, we had plenty of chances, and then one slight mistake defensively cost us the goal today, but, if you’d have offered us four points from the two games this week, we happily take that, so there’s confidence in the side at the moment, and we’ll hopefully take that forwards. 

We were always a threat on the counter attack, we knew at the start how they would look to play, and we dealt with that really well, and used our advantages well. 

We have to take that confidence into the Fairford game (Thornhill Park, Saturday 3.00pm), we’ve taken four points this week, so it’s onwards and upwards for us, we’ll look to get three points again and push our way towards the play offs.’

Team: Parker, Mara, Turner, Mills, Dennis, Hitchings, McKinnon, Hands, Neill, Blackie, Sutherland (Thomas 77)

Goal: Neill 32

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Craig Mills

The Under 18s side this afternoon progressed to the Final of the GFA Under 18s County Cup, thumping Bristol Manor Farm 6-0 at Thornhill Park. The visitors ended up playing with 8 men after three dismissals. Goalscorers for the Swans were Will Tainton, James Tainton, Cam Low, Kieran Bennett (2) and Dellano Pennant.

They will meet Hallen in the Final on May 2^nd (7.00pm Kick Off) in a match held at GFA HQ at Almondsbury.

The Under 18’s are back at Thornhill Park on Tuesday (12^th March, 7.30pm) when they entertain Cinderford Town Under 18’s in a League encounter. 

The First Team entertain Fairford Town next Saturday (16^th March, 3.00pm) in the next Hellenic League game.