Longlevens end winless run with hard fought win over Slimbridge
Longlevens ended a run of four defeats in a row thanks to a come from behind 3-2 win over local rivals Slimbridge.
Joey Haswell’s 83rd minute winner was enough to separate the two sides during a hard-fought encounter at Thornhill Park.
Slimbridge had lead at the half time break, following Ben Hands’ opener. But a quickfire double from Jordan Alderman and Charlie McCrea had the visitors ahead at the hour mark.
Swans sub Marley Thomas rifled home a free kick to square the contest, before Haswell’s effort clinched the points for Michael Palmer and Craig Martin’s side.
The win is Longlevens’ first since their 2-0 win over Fairford Town at the end of November, whilst Slimbridge are now one win in their last six league games of 2023.
There was drama before the game, as Levens lost goalkeeper Matty Wieczorek to injury in the warm-up, meaning Co-Manager Craig Martin had to step in between the sticks for his side.
The opening ten minutes saw both sides cancel each other out, but Martin couldn’t stop the Swans taking the lead when they won the ball on the right hand side and Ben Hands was on the spot to slide an effort into the bottom corner.
Longlevens reacted well, with Haswell, Dylan Miles and Jordan Alderman all having efforts easily saved by Slimbridge keeper, Ellis Parker.
Martin made his first and only save of the game to deny George Neill, after a cross from the right fell to him at the back post. The save saw the ball fall to Harrison Reeves, who had his effort cleared off the line.
Reeves nearly doubled his side’s lead inside the first 20 seconds of the second half, but he dragged his effort wide after winning possession in midfield.
Longlevens introduced Shiyak Sutherland into the game early in the second half and within seconds, the visitors were level.
Jordan Alderman worked space on the right side of the box, before firing in off the foot of the far post.
Within five minutes, the visitors took the lead as Sutherland skipped by his man down the left hand side and crossed for Charlie McCrea to slide home unmarked at the back post.
As the game trickled into the final quarter or so, both sides made changes in search of momentum in the contest.
Martin was replaced by Harvey Moroney, who had kept a clean sheet for the Longlevens Reserves side and travelled down to Slimbridge to play the final 25 minutes or so..
Slimbridge turned to experience in Marley Thomas and it was he who fired the hosts level – blasting a free kick into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
However, the hosts were only level for two minutes as Austin Parker’s interception saw the ball fall to Haswell and the former Gloucester City Youth forward let fly from range to win the game for this side.
Longlevens move up to 15th in the Hellenic Premier table, whilst Slimbridge slip to 10th ahead of their New Years’ Day visit to Hereford Pegasus.
The visitors are back in action on Friday 5 January, when they head to Wantage Town.
Slimbridge: Parker, Hunt, Prictor, Turner, Hitchings, Mara, McKinnon, Hands, Neill, Blackie, Reeves
Subs: Clayson, Kouisseoue, Thomas, Smith, Mbunga
Longlevens: Martin, Beardsell, Iddles, Long, Hitchman, Finch, McCrae, O’Connor, Haswell, Alderman, Miles
Subs: Sutherland, Payne, Parker, Aldridge, Moroney
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Joey Haswell (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
