LISTEN: Slimbridge win on penalties after eight goal Vase classic with Longlevens
Slimbridge came from 3-1 and 4-3 down to force and then win their FA Vase tie against Longlevens on penalties – in an absolute classic.
A double from Shiyak Sutherland, including a stunning second saw Levens cancel out Jack Smith’s early opener, before Jack Beardsell made it 3-1 and seemingly looked like sending the hosts into Monday’s draw.
But goals from Jack Smith and Joe Stokes – albeit Stokes’ effort being bundled into his own net by Levens keeper Billy Thomas, saw the game squared up at 3-3 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Substitute Alex Knight thought he had won it for the hosts, but with four minutes of the seven added played, Jacob Rodgers bundled home at the back post to send the game to penalties.
Both Thomas and Slimbridge stopper Stephen Sarkodie exchanged very good saves to start proceedings, before Joe Shutt and Knight both converted.
Toby Soule put his side ahead for the first time since the fifth minute, with Levens sub Marcus Cornwall scuffing his penalty against the foot of the post.
Jack W Smith blazed his spotkick over to allow Soyam Sherchan to level once more.
Stokes squirmed his penalty past Thomas to give his side match point and after Cam Williams struck the bar, Slimbridge were celebrating a win that looked so unlikely for most of the second half.
Both sides are back in league action in midweek, with Slimbridge at home to Westfields on Tuesday night, whilst Longlevens host Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Wednesday.
Listen back to the full match commentary below and on Spotify and Amazon Music
Longlevens: Thomas, Emery, Byard, Long, Wells, Sherchan, Beardsell, C Williams, Driscoll, Sutherland, Martin
Subs: Cornwall, Belboda, R Williams, Knight, Haswell
Slimbridge: Sarkodie, Mara, Mathews, Kang, Hitchings, Evans, Stokes, Soule, Smith, W Smith, Ahmed
Subs: Hunt, Rodgers, Hanson, Shutt, Blacker
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Shiyak Sutherland (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
