The Swans and Pershore Town played out their second successive League 3-3 draw at Thornhill Park in the League with an opening day goalfest. 

After Bailey Fuller had put the visitors ahead, two goals in five minutes, one an own goal from Pershore’s Will Beach swiftly followed by Theo Clayson’s first goal of the season saw the home side ahead. 

But two further Pershore goals, from Dylan Parker and a second from Fuller saw a breathtaking first period draw to a close with the visitors ahead. 

The second half saw Slimbridge press for an equaliser, which finally arrived on 90 minutes from Jack Smith, but the additional seven minutes added by Referee Nathan Wormleighton failed to produce a winner for either side. 

The game started as it meant to go on, with chances at both ends – James Baldwin was just wide for Pershore in the third minute, while Jack Smith had a good effort saved by Pershore Keeper Scott Loader. 

After nine minutes, the visitors were ahead, a shot from Bailey Fuller evading Swans Keeper Olly Phillips through a crowd of players. 

But Slimbridge were pressing hard, and after Charlie Hitchings had a header cleared off the line, the Swans equalised on 16 minutes  – Same Blackie played in Theo Clayson, whose effort across the Pershore goal was converted into his own net by Will Beach, under pressure from Will Hawes. 

Five minutes later, the Swans were ahead – Jack Smith and Shiyak Sutherland combined well, but Loader in the Pershore goal spilled Sutherland’s shot, and Theo Clayson was on hand to convert the loose ball. 

Slimbridge had a couple of good chances to increase their lead before the game had even reached the alf hour mark, but Loader produced a superb save from Clayson’s volley from Jonty Welch’s corner, before Smith was off target with another good effort. 

Pershore were back in the game nine minutes before the break, when Zaq Hussain set up Dylan Parker to notch the equaliser, before, in the second minute of first half stoppage time, Fuller was allowed far too much time by the Swans defence to drill in the third and put the visitors back into the lead. 

The second period saw the Swans dominate, but Pershore’s defensive line held firm as Loader made a great save from Sutherland’s effort early on, before thwarting Nathan Dennis’ header from Welch’s corner. 

The Pershore Keeper was again in action, making a good stop from Sutherland’s effort on 70 minutes as the home side continued to press. 

As the clock hit 90 minutes, the equaliser finally came – a run and neat finish from Jack Smith drew the scores level. 

The home side had two further efforts go close in stoppage time, from Sutherland and Archie Myatt, but the sides played out a very entertaining draw to start their respect campaigns. 

Speaking after the game, Slimbridge Co-Manager Adam Coyle was philosophical looking back on the game – ‘It was definitely entertaining!

Unlike the first game of the season last year which was very cagey, I had a feeling it would be open – I knew what both teams were about, and it was about who was going to score more than the other team. 

Now in the changing room, and we’ve just had the discussion, we’re disappointed that we didn’t get all three points. People might have different opinions, but I think over the second half performance we deserved that, but we didn’t score early enough. If we had scored earlier, I think we go on and won and win the game, but when you score late, you’re always chasing. 

But they’re a good side, we’ll take the point, we’ll learn from it. 

Defensively, I think both teams ended up in the first half doing a lot of defensive work, because it was very open, and it was not one for the defensive purists out there. 

It’s a really warm night, so the five subs were really helpful, and people were absolutely blowing towards the end, and they came on and made an impact, and that’s what you want. Archie gave us a really good threat up the side, Myron’s obviously tucked in at right back, but all of them have come on and done a job, nd it gave us more impetus and energy, and that’s what we needed. I know there were seven minutes added, but if it would have been twelve minutes we’d have won the game. 

We have to respect that they are a good side, but ultimately we were 3-2 down, with a long part of the game gone, so when it’s three all, you probably take that, and then you don’t throw loads of people forward, and be a bit cautious, but ultimately we still made chances at 3-2, so that’s where the disappointment comes in, but it’s the first game of the season. Nothing is won or lost.’

Team: Phillips, Hunt (Turner 64), Rodgers, Welch (Myatt 88), Dennis, Hitchings (Evans 69), Clayson (Harper 88), Blackie, Hawes (Soule 69), Smith, Sutherland

Goals: OG 16, Clayson 21, Smith 90

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Jack Smith