Slimbridge suffer first league defeat of the season at the hands of Westfields despite Smith double
Slimbridge suffered their first league defeat of the season despite a late comeback, losing 4-3 to Westfields on Tuesday night.
After goals from Luke Postle and Zac Powell had Fields 2-0 up after 16 minutes, Jack W Smith pulled one back before half time.
But Bailey Fuller’s goal just before the hour mark extended the visitors’ lead, before captain Harrison Iddles was given a second yellow card for entering the field of play too soon after going off for treatment.
That didn’t stop the visitors from adding a fourth though, as Aidan Clark blasted past debutant goalkeeper Alex Kovacevic.
Slimbridge scored two in three minutes to threaten a second 4-4 result in as many games, as Smith added a second and substitute Leighton Blacker converted from close range.
But it was too little too late for the Swans, who will look to dust themselves down before hosting leaders Roman Glass St George this weekend.
The game itself started quickly, with Fields taking the lead with their first chance of the night. Aidan Clark, who was particularly impressive, cut across the box before the ball was driven in and turned home by Luke Postle at the near post.
Joe Stokes had Slimbridge’s first shot of the game, but fired straight at Jack Oxenham from 18 yards, before Jack W Smith lifted an effort onto the roof of the net after winning the ball outside the box.
Westfields doubled their lead soon after, with Clark holding off his man before teeing up Powell to fire past Kovacevic and into the bottom corner.
Jack W Smith dragged an effort wide as the Swans looked for a way back into the game and were forced into a change with Jack Smith replaced by Leighton Blacker.
And with 10 minutes left of the first half, Jacob Rodgers got in down the left and his pull back was forced home by Jack W Smith and Slimbridge had hope going into the second half.
Towards the end of the half, a number of yellow cards were issued and the game became quite tough to watch – with the match official failing to really put a stamp on things.
Kovacevic held well from Powell just after the restart, with Joe Stokes’ free kick asking to be headed home but all of the blue shirts stood still watching.
Slimbridge had a great chance just before the hour mark, but Oxenham saved from close range – and Westfields went down the other end and restored their two goal lead.
Bailey Fuller was slipped in down the right and he stroked the ball under Kovacevic and into the bottom corner.
With twenty minutes left Iddles was given a silly second yellow card after returning to the field of play too quickly after receiving treatment and walking to the side of the pitch.
By the letter of the law, it is a correct decision, but after the game a number of individuals for either side admitted the communication from the officials wasn’t clear. The game didn’t warrant it. but it felt like a red card was inevitable.
Then with 10 minutes left, Clark smashed home to seal the deal for Westfields, but a late flurry made it fairly nervy.
First, Joe Shutt, who was our Man of the Match, played a great through ball for Jack W Smith to slot home his second.
Then a long throw from the right was flicked down for Leighton Blacker to set up a grandstand spell of stoppage time.
And the Swans thought they had levelled it as Shutt’s cross was headed towards goal by substitute Dan Hanson, but Jack Oxenham flew across to his left to palm away superbly.
In the dying embers the Swans won a corner, which was nearly met by Kovacevic who ventured forward and the points were heading back to Allpay Park.
Slimbridge: Kovacevic, Hunt, Mathews, Kang, Hitchings, Mara, Shutt, Stokes, Smith, W Smith, Rodgers
Subs: C Blacker, L Blacker, Hanson, Ahmed, Evans
Westfields: Oxenham, Godsall, Bennett, Williams, Wood, Davies, Fuller, Iddles, Clark, Powell, Postle
Subs: Emblem, Sterry, Rose, Muirhead, Heather
C Martin Roofing Match of the Match – Joe Shutt (Slimbridge)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out the list of Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
