Fairford & Slimbridge share spoils in night of controversy at Cinder Lane
Fairford Town and Slimbridge both had to settle for a point after a dramatic 1-1 draw on Tuesday night, with both sides left aggrieved of key decisions going against them.
The hosts were left furious when Henry Birkett was given a second yellow card for taking matters in his own hands and catching the ball to stop the game and allow Tommy Ouldridge to get treatment after a tackle in the build up.
Fairford held onto their lead with 10 men for twenty minutes, before Casey Collins fired home his third goal in the first three games of the season, although the flag initially had gone up.
After consultation with the assistant, the goal was given, with the hosts told after the game it was because the ball was headed onto Collins by a defender.
Slimbridge were left aggrieved with the Fairford opener, with the corner – which Joah Hall headed home, a debatable decision giving the assistants angle on the opposite side of the pitch.
The result left a bitter tase in both sides’ mouths, but ensure they both continue unbeaten starts to the competitive season – with Slimbridge top of the Hellenic Premier after two matches.
For Fairford, their wait for a first league win continues after two 1-1 draws, but will now be without Birkett next midweek when they head to Droitwich Spa.
All of this action came after a goalless first half, that saw Slimbridge have the better of the chances but neither keeper really called upon.
But after the break, the action came.
Joe Stokes had an early effort saved by Connor Johns in the Fairford goal, but Johns was called into action moments later to keep out Jack W Smith after he leapt onto a loose square pass.
On 56 minutes, the hosts pinched their lead. After the ball was deemed to have gone out for a corner on the opposite side of the assistant, Slimbridge weren’t happy but failed to pick up Joah Hall, who was given a free run at the back post to head home.
Former Fairford winger Joe Shutt immediately came on for the Swans and impressed in his time on the pitch.
With twenty five minutes left the big moment came that Fairford would feel swung the game in Slimbridge’s favour.
Tommy Ouldridge was caught in a tackle on half way and stayed down, in visible agony.
The officials allowed the game to continue, albeit with Fairford in the attack and after pleading for the ball to be kicked out, Birkett caught a clearance and threw the ball off the pitch to allow Ouldridge treatment.
Casey Collins was sin binned for his protests and after allowing Ouldridge to be treated and leave the field, the referee issued Birkett a second yellow card for deliberate handball.
Whilst by the letter of the law, the red card is the correct decision, the feeling from both dugouts was that the referee should have stopped the game much earlier.
Fairford were felt hard done by, but Slimbridge felt rejuvenated, as they went in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser on the balance of play.
But again, the manner of the goal divided opinions.
A Joe Stokes free kick was just about cleared by the hosts, before the recycled ball in was flicked on and fired home by Collins.
Despite the initial offside flag, the referee overturned the decision and cited after the game that the ball was flicked on by Fairford debutant Alan Griffin and not a Slimbridge head, so rightly, goal given.
And the drama still wasn’t over, Slimbridge came within inches of winning it.
Jack Smith brought the ball down in the box, before Jack W Smith’s effort deflected onto the bar – with the ball rebounding into the air and defender Ryan Ponting sent an overhead kick also against the bar.
Ponting’s effort fell in the six yard box, but the follow up header was straight at Johns and somehow Fairford escaped.
With that an enthralling game at Cinder Lane was brought to a close, but it was one with plenty of talking points.
Next up for Fairford is a trip to Tuffley Rovers this weekend, whilst Slimbridge play hosts to Hallen at Thornhill Park.
You will be able to listen to full reaction from Fairford Town Co-Managers Jamie Reid & Sam Collier on Saturday morning’s Buttee’s For Breakfast show. Live on Severn Sport from 9am
Fairford Town: Johns, Birkett, Hill, Ouldridge, Hitchman, Case, Way, Hall, Grieve, Presley, Shumba
Subs: McCrae, Edwards, Grabe, Chamberlain, Griffin
Slimbridge: Sarkodie, Hunt, Mathews, Soule, Hitchings, Ponting, Collins, Stokes, Smith, W Smith, Ahmed
Subs: Mara, Shutt, Kang, Evans, Rodgers
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ryan Ponting (Slimbridge) & Luke Hitchman (Fairford Town)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
