Forest Green Manager Steve Cotterill was full of praise for the Swans after the teams played out a very entertaining 1-1 draw at Thornhill Park on Monday night. 

Jacob Maddox gave the visitors a first half lead, but Slimbridge pulled a goal back through Jarmani Langlais in the second period to leave honours shared, in front of a very healthy crowd of 576.

Speaking to the Forest Green Media team after the game, Cotterill was complimentary about the Slimbridge organisation and staff – ‘We were really really welcomed – they were great, Slimbridge, they looked after us from the minute we came in the door. We’re really grateful for them housing us, as home games this year are going to be out the window, with the pitch being done, so we really really enjoyed it. 

Lovely people, and a great run out for our boys..’

Slimbridge Joint Manager Adam Coyle returned the complements in his post match comments – ‘We just want to say thanks to Forest Green for coming tonight. It’s a massive friendly for us, but for Steve and his staff to bring their whole first team is an absolute credit to them, they were brilliant to deal with all through the last few weeks in terms of off the field. They’ve been really really helpful with the pitch, the kit, everything, so a massive, massive thank you to Forest Green and all their Supporters for coming down tonight. 

Turning their thoughts to the game, Tom Deakin was pleased with progress at this point in pre-season following their display – ‘We’re quite happy with where we are – the forms are now out so we can now get everyone signed on officially, it was a good performance from the lads – we knew it was going to be a tough night for them, the focus from us was mainly on behind the ball, being out of possession, and they’ve worked really hard on what we’ve asked them to do. We’ve tested them for long periods of time, and then as the game has gone o, we’ve grown into it, and I thought we developed our footballing side of the game as the game went on. It’s been an enjoyable evening for us. 

Adam Coyle added – ‘We’ve seen the belief grow in the second half when we started playing our stuff, we grew into the game. The first half, we probably rushed it a little too much, but then we started getting on the ball and showing what we could do with it, which was really really pleasing. We didn’t want to just have to defend – I know we had to for long spells, but when we got the ball we looked good and created some chances. 

But ultimately the defensive side was our massive organisation thing tonight, and we’re really really pleased about that. To get a draw, it’s great but it means absolutely nothing. But it’s a great confidence boost for us and the players.’

On Thursday (July 11^th 6.30pm), Slimbridge Under 18s host AEK Boko at Thornhill Park, before the first team face Hungerford Town on Saturday (July 13^th, 3.00pm) and Weston Super Mare the following Tuesday (July 16^th, 7.45pm). Entry to all Slimbridge First Team Pre-Season home games is £5, with Under 16’s free if accompanied by a paying adult. 

Slimbridge Team vs Forest Green Rovers: Phillips, Deakin, Rodgers, Welch, Mara, Hitchings, Clayson, Blackie, Langlais, Smith, Sutherland 

Subs: Smallwood, Dennis, Tainton, Soule, Turner, Hawes