Longlevens pay the penalty in final day defeat against Slimbridge
Slimbridge scored two penalties as they came from behind to beat Longlevens on the final day of the Hellenic League season, winning 2-1 at Thornhill Park.
After Alex Knight had put the visitors ahead, the Champions responded with an Olly Sully penalty to leave the game level at the break.
Joe Stokes was given the chance to also convert from 12 yards just before the hour mark, a chance he took to secure all three points for his side.
As the final whistle brought the season to a close, the hosts were presented with the Hellenic Premier title, sparking scenes of celebration for plans, Managers and supporters alike.
Longlevens headed off knowing they have also had a successful season, finishing 11th in the league alongside lifting the Floodlit Cup in March.
READ MORE: Submit your nominations in the Severn Sport End of Season Awards 2026 by clicking here
The game itself felt like a run of the mill “end of season” game for the most part, with a number of breaks due to injury and fatigue.
Longlevens started well, with Knight crossing from the left but Cam Williams’ effort was blocked.
Jack Holmes had an effort off target, before Gino Valenti spun in down the left before teeing up Lewis Driscoll – who also saw his shot blocked.
Valenti spun in behind again on 13 minutes and this time pulled back for Knight to take a touch and fire into the bottom corner – but Valenti had to be replaced after tweaking something in the move.
Slimbridge nearly levelled on 22 minutes, as a Charlie Mathews free kick picked out Bogdan Mara at the back post – but Drew Brei did exceptionally well to save onto the crossbar.
Longlevens went on to lose Dan Roddis and Slimbridge lost Tristan Haswell, as both sides suffered with first half injuries.
Then in injury time, Ben Lodge was deemed to have pulled back in the box at a free kick and Sully took his chance to send the sides into half time all square.
Soon after the break, Slimbridge were awarded another penalty when Brei was harshly adjudged to have brought down Shiyak Sutherland when it appeared that the keeper had claimed the ball – either way, Joe Stokes sent Brei the wrong way to put his side ahead.
Longlevens lost Brei for the final ten minutes after a collision with Slimbridge sub Jacob Rodgers at a through ball.
In the end both sides saw the game and successful seasons out as the Hellenic League sseason concluded for another year.
Slimbridge: Hammond, Mara, Mathews, Soule, Hitchings, Haswell, Sully, Stokes, Smith, W Smith, Sutherland
Subs: Ponting, Rodgers, Bell, Shutt, Barnes
Longlevens: Brei, Roddis, Byard, Long, Wells, Holmes, Beardsell, Williams, Valenti, Driscoll, Knight
Subs: Spencer, Sherchan, O’Connor, Hyett, Lodge
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Joe Stokes (Slimbridge) & Alex Knight (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Submit your nominations in the Severn Sport End of Season Awards 2026 by clicking here
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
