Four-midable Slimbridge secure passage in Challenge Trophy against lacklustre Lydney

Slimbridge advanced to the second round of the GFA Challenge Trophy defeating Lydney Town 4-0 at Thornhill Park on Tuesday night, writes Sam Yapp.

Ryan Ponting put the Swans deservedly ahead, pouncing on a Tom Way error after the Lydney goalkeeper dropped a Sergio Mills corner right on half time.

Callum Dark doubled the Swans lead with the second half less than a minute old delightfully dinking an effort over the onrushing Lydney ‘keeper.

It was three just after the hour mark for the Swans when Mills cut inside onto his right before bending his effort into the far corner.

Josiah McKayle completed the scoring deep in second half additional time firing home from the penalty spot.

The Swans secured their third consecutive victory in all competitions and at home whilst Lydney’s search for a win reached eight games suffering their sixth straight away defeat.

The Swans were gifted a great opportunity to open the scoring on 12 minutes when Kristian Burnard allowed a long ball to find Jacob Rodgers who saw his effort smothered by Way.

Four minutes later it was the post that denied Dark from putting the Swans ahead before Rhys Sarson curled a close ranged effort past the post just a minute later.

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Lydney’s best chance of the first half fell to Ryan Dobbins on 29 minutes after Lee Smith fed him through superbly but Dobbins saw his driven effort well blocked by Swans centre-half, Ponting.

Lydney could’ve reduced the deficit on 72 minutes when Kyle Gibbs got free in the area but could only fire over before he saw a volleyed effort well held by Swans’ goalkeeper, Gavin Jones moments later.

Straight down the other end Jack Smith forced Way into a smart save low to his left before Jonty Welch curled agonisingly wide.

But that wasn’t to matter as the Swans saw through the victory comfortably setting up a tasty home encounter with Longlevens in the second round.

The Swans are back in league action on Saturday as they travel to Brimscombe & Thrupp, whilst Lydney prepare to host Mangotsfield United at the Lydney Recreation Ground – as Lydney look for more crucial points.

Line-ups:

Slimbridge: Jones (GK), Deakin, Rodgers, Hands © (Hawes 77’), Ponting (Welch 69’), Barclay, Dark (Phillips 86’) , Jagger, McKayle, Mills (Smith 67’), Sarson (Soule 72’)

Lydney Town: Way (GK), Jeffs (Cunliffe 66’), Skidmore, Murphy, Burnard, Gibbs, Sheen ©, Brain (Aldridge 72’), Myatt, Dobbins, L. Smith (Wines 58’)

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ryan Ponting (Slimbridge)