Slimbridge rescue opening day point in captivating draw with Pershore
Jack Smith rescued a late point for Slimbridge as they opened their Hellenic League Premier account with an enthralling 3-3 draw with Pershore Town at Thornhill Park, writes Sam Yapp.
The visitors struck first when Bailey Fuller got on the end of a Miles Ferguson long ball to cut inside and unleash a fierce effort across goal on 11 minutes.
But the Swans responded almost immediately to level the game when a low ball across the box was slid home by one of Pershore’s own players.
Theo Clayson then had the Swans in front on 21 minutes following up a spilled Shiyak Sutherland shot to hammer home from close range.
More excitement was to come as the Plums stunned the Swans with two outrageous strikes from distance first from Dylan Parker who struck a first time effort into the bottom corner from 20-yards on 36 minutes.
Right on the stroke of half time Fuller regained the Plums’ lead when he cut in off the right to curl an effort into the near bottom corner from distance.
The Swans threw everything at the Plums to find an equaliser and were rewarded on 89 minutes when Jack Smith curled an effort in off the far post.
The Swans still await their first opening day win since 2017 but have ground to build on after some impressive play during the game.
The Plums made it six straight opening days without defeat but are without a win in the Hellenic Premier in their last four matches.
There were plenty of chances for the Swans to grasp a win from the game first coming with Clayson on the half hour mark when his volleyed effort was well tipped over.
Fuller tried his luck for the match ball just after the break for the Plums with another impressive, distanced strike which tested Olly Phillips.
Nathan Dennis saw a headed effort well tipped over on 63 minutes before Sutherland wriggled onto his right foot to fire an effort across goal and just wide moments later.
The Swans could’ve won it in stoppage time when again Sutherland weaved in on goal only to be denied brilliantly at the front post by Scott Loader.
Both sides are in FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round action on Saturday, August 3rd as Slimbridge welcome Malmesbury Victoria to Thornhill Park and Pershore head to Kidsgrove Athletic.
Slimbridge: Phillips (GK), Hunt (Turner 64’), Rodgers, Welch (Harper 88’), Dennis, Hitchings © (Evans 70’), Clayson (Myatt 88’), Blackie, Hawes (Soule 70’), Smith, Sutherland
Pershore Town: Loader (GK), Beach, Cookie, Benson (Clark 59’), Ferguson ©, Bloomer (Stafford 72’), Hussain (Johns 88’), Donnelly, Parker (Price 59’), Fuller, Baldwin (Webb 45’)
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Sam Blackie (Slimbridge)
