Slimbridge get back to winning ways with victory at Longlevens
Slimbridge ended a run of three defeats with a comfortable 3-1 win over Longlevens on Wednesday night.
Sam Blackie’s first half header was added to by Callum Dark’s third goal of the season and substitute Toby Soule’s effort after the break to give the Swans a 3-0 lead, before Lewis Rose’s consolation for the hosts.
Following defeats to Hereford Pegasus, Mangotsfield United and Roman Glass St George, Slimbridge went into the game looking to turn their month around and the win gives them momentum going into a trip to Devizes Town in the FA Vase on Saturday – before hosting Worcester Raiders on Tuesday night and a trip to Thornbury Town next weekend.
For Longlevens, they are now five games without a win – since their Derby Day win against Tuffley Rovers on the August Bank Holiday Monday and with a crucial game against Lydney Town next Tuesday, they will need to go back to the drawing board, as it currently isn’t working.
The game started even, before Jack Smith rattled the crossbar with a ferocious effort from the edge of the box.
Smith combined with Sam Blackie moments later, but his ball in was poked towards goal, but it was easy for Ash Wintle.
Liam Harper curled a free kick over, before Jacob Rodgers fired over at the back post after being picked out by a cross from the right.
Jack Beardsell had Longlevens’ best effort of the half, but his effort was easily saved by Olly Phillips in the Slimbridge goal.
Slimbridge deserved a lead at the break and they got it when Smith once again found space on the right side on the box and his cross was turned home by Blackie, who ghosted into the six yard box.
Beardsell fizzed an effort wide from the left corner of the box, before the yellow cards started to mount up.
Blackie, Ben Hands, Ollie Long, Joey Haswell and Callum Dark all received cautions for various challenges and incidents. Five cards but only one “tough tackle” in the half.
Early into the second half, Longlevens defender Dan Roddis limped off and was replaced by Lewis Rose – with Beardsell reverting back to right back.
Former Swans winger, Marley Thomas, worked space down the right for Longlevens before Cam Williams strikes wide.
Moments later, it was 2-0 and a long way back for the hosts as Dark curled an effort into the top corner from the right corner of the area.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and it nearly got worse when Liam Harper danced his way into the box before striking the foot of the post.
But Slimbridge got their third soon after, with sub Toby Soule rifling home from the edge of the box with his first touch.
Longlevens managed to get a goal for their efforts five minutes from time, as Rose fired home after being picked out by Marley Thomas’ cross.
In the end it was an easy enough win for Slimbridge, who will hope they can build on the result in the coming weeks.
Longlevens: Wintle, Roddis, Richardson, Long, Parker, Westrip, Williams, Brown, Thomas, Beardsell, Haswell
Subs: Byard, Rose, O’Connor, Cornell, Chamberlain
Slimbridge: Phillips, Hunt, Rodgers, Hands, Turner, Hitchings, Dark, Blackie, Harper, Smith, Clayson
Subs: Jones, Mills, Soule, Bennett, Dennis
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Liam Harper (Slimbridge)
READ MORE: Check out the fixtures in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
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