Slimbridge bow out of Floodlit Cup despite spirited comeback against Corsham

A second half comeback wasn’t enough for Slimbridge, as they were knocked out of the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup at the hands of Corsham Town, going down 3-2 at Thornhill Park.

Early goals from Theo Jeremey and Brandon Oputeri saw the visitors race to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes and in truth, the Swans were lucky to not be further behind at the break after a disjointed first 45 minutes.

But Rhys Sarson swept home from a neat cutback just after the hour mark and the goal gave Slimbridge a lift so massive, it nearly inspired them to go on and complete the comeback.

Joe Shutt, in particular, was flying and it came at no surprise to anyone in the ground that it was he who drew the Swans level with just over 15 minutes to go.

Shutt tried his best to get his side ahead in the closing stages, but every cross into the box was either smothered away or just found a teammate on their heels.

And the sting in the tail came in the 89th minute, as Otis James Lewis rifled an effort past James Holder – with the keeper only able to get a glove on it.

As Corsham celebrated, Slimbridge can take positives from the second half display and on another day, Tom Deakin knows his side would have won the tie.

Slimbridge will be looking to bounce back at the weekend, with a tough trip to Sporting Club Inkberrow ahead of them, whilst Corsham are due to head to Malmesbury Victoria, subject to Vics’ pitch condition.

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Both sides went into the game off the back of mixed fortunes at the weekend, with Slimbridge claiming a late win against Westfields, whilst Corsham suffered a confidence denting 4-0 defeat at home to Cirencester.

But it was the visitors who started brighter, with Theo Jeremy in particular causing Haydn Evans all sorts of problems in the early exchanges.

Oputeri found himself in behind in the first minute, but Jeremy was unable to get his shot off after being picked out from the cross.

Jeremy then cut in from the left before scuffing just wide, but he wouldn’t be denied on 13 minutes, as the winger took advantage of Evans mis-judging a long ball, charging into the box and firing past Holder at his near post.

It went from bad to worse seven minutes later when Oputeri let fly from a good 25 yards and the effort sailed agonisingly over Holder’s reach to make it 2-0 and giving Slimbridge the feeling of ‘this could be a long night.’

Ironically an injury to Josh Barclay enabled Slimbridge to get a grasp of the contest – not to say he did anything wrong.

Barclay limped off injured 10 minutes before the break and with Kieran Bennett replacing him, the Swans dropped to a three at the back and they really did look more assured and had a better structure to their play.

James Tainton was picked out by a Joe Shutt cross, but he couldn’t quite force his effort home – as Slimbridge went into half time two goals down.

After a really even first 15 minutes to the second half, Slimbridge threw out a lifeline as Callum Dark’s cutback was swept home well by Rhys Sarson and the game was well and truly on.

Former Fairford Town winger Shutt then stepped up to really assert himself into the contest, putting in a couple of dangerous low crosses that had the Corsham back line showing their resilience to try and hold on.

Charlie Hitchings was replaced by Jonty Welch as the two come back to full fitness after injuries and Welch again added even more assurance to the Swans midfield.

Slimbridge levelled with just over 15 minutes left when the ball was slipped into Shutt’s path on the right side of the box and Shutt produced a lovely low side-footed finish to restore parity.

Jeremy found himself in on goal moments later after a slip from Evans, but toe poked wide from a great position.

Shutt continued to cause problems and two more dangerous balls in just evaded a blue shirt, with Henri Parry-Williams blazing over from a follow up.

Welch and Shutt linked up for the closest Slimbridge came to a winner, but Shutt’s ball to the back post bounced off the crossbar and the chance was gone.

And Corsham went on to snatch the win in an enthralling cup tie as Otis James Lewis turned on the ball, before rifling past Holder to spark celebrations for his side.

Both sides will need massive ends to the season in order to gate crash the Hellenic Premier play-offs, but both sides will be able to build on Tuesday night’s game.

Slimbridge: Holder, Deakin, Evans, Parry-Williams, Hitchings, Barclay, Dark, Soule, Shutt, Tainton, Sarson

Subs: Jagger, Mills, Welch, Bennett, Parker-Delves

Corsham Town: Smith, Freckleton, Goodwin-Worrell, Humphreys, WIlson, Radway, Jeremy, James Lewis, Linton, Oputeri, McInerney

Subs: Hill, Brown, Nelson, Morgan

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Joe Shutt (Slimbridge)