Sam’s Section: Swans host play-off grudge match, Dursley look to pounce on Levens absence and title contenders hit Nailsworth
Here we are again with another presumptuous look at some footballing action in and around Gloucestershire this weekend.
After a washout in midweek with many fixtures getting postponed or, in my case at Thornhill Park, abandoned the weather shows very little in terms of improvement, which could make it a quiet weekend of action.
But nonetheless there is no harm in looking ahead and where better to start then Thornhill Park and Slimbridge who will be looking to add more breathing space to their play-off push.
Tuesday night would have done just that if not for the poor conditions causing the game to be abandoned 25 minutes in, with the Swans leading 2-0.
Marley Thomas opened the scoring inside five minutes when he blocked the goalkeeper’s clearance into an empty net before Theo Clayson doubled the lead, rounding the ‘keeper and rolling home from close range.
A win for the Swans could have seen them move to within one point of third placed Royal Wootton Bassett, who they welcome to Thornhill Park this Saturday for their Hellenic League Premier clash.
This boasts to be a real play-off battle as both teams will be looking to open up larger gaps on sixth placed, Roman Glass St George.
Slimbridge vs Royal Wootton Bassett (Hellenic Premier; 15:00 kick off)
Now to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League where Dursley Town will be looking to take advantage of Longlevens Reserves absence from league action.
Dursley host bottom of the league, English Bicknor, at the Rec on Saturday with a win guaranteeing them top spot as Longlevens are in County Cup action away at Tuffley Rovers Development.
It was a comfortable victory for Dursley last Saturday as they strolled to a 7-0 victory over a struggling Berkeley Town side.
Karl Nash will be hoping for a similar performance from his side as breathing down their necks are Tredworth Tigers who will be looking to pounce on any slip ups when they face Bibury on Saturday.
Dursley Town vs English Bicknor (Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One; 15:00 kick off)
Bibury vs Tredworth Tigers (Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One; 15:00 kick off)
Tuffley Rovers Development vs Longlevens Reserves (GFA Senior Amateur Cup Quarter Final; 14:00 kick off)
Up to League Two to finish off as Steve Cotterill’s search for a first win as Forest Green Rovers manager continues when they host title chasing, Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Three points at The New Lawn could see Rovers move to within six points of safety, with two games in hand, and potentially off the foot of the table if results go their way.
Cotterill came close to a first win last Saturday when his side were involved in an enthralling 3-3 draw away to fellow survival chasers, Colchester United.
Rovers led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Matty Stevens and the returning Christian Doidge but were stunned in the second period as Colchester scored three in five minutes to turn the game on its head.
Blackpool loanee, Dominic Thompson, salvaged a point for Cotterill’s side thanks to a little helping hand from the Colchester ‘keeper.
Forest Green Rovers host Mansfield Town for their League Two clash at The New Lawn on Saturday with kick off at 3pm.
Follow Sam Yapp on Twitter (X) @SJY_Journo for more
READ MORE: Check out this Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out this Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
