Slimbridge U18s book spot in HFA Giantkillers Cup final with win over Longlevens
Slimbridge U18s advanced into the HFA Giantkillers Cup with a 4-2 victory over Longlevens on Friday night, writes Tom Read.
James Tainton and Theo Bevan exchanged penalties before Zak Gibbons put the visitors ahead, but the sides would go into half time level after Joe Rowsell’s equaliser.
Theo Browne, who put in a Man of the Match display, produced a stunning strike to put the Swans ahead before Browne grabbed his second late on to seal the deal for his side.
Slimbridge will play the winner of Tuesday night’s second semi final, between Cirencester Town and Gloucester City, in the final at Edgar Street in the coming weeks.
Both sides head to Tuffley Rovers in their next league fixture, with Longlevens heading to Glevum Park next Thursday night and Slimbridge following suit on Tuesday 31 March.
Slimbridge nearly scored inside two minutes when an early corner was headed against the bar by Rowsell, but they were given the chance to break the deadlock when Joe Poole spilt an effort from Albie Neveu and the Levens keeper brought down Browne to concede a penalty.
Tainton stepped up to convert a well taken penalty.
But Levens grew into the game, with Theo Bevan going close when he flashed a ball across goal.
Bevan stepped up to slide a penalty of his own past Kieran Winstone after being brought down in the box himself and after Poole made a great stop to keep out a long range Tainton effort, Levens caught Slimbridge on the counter to take the lead.
Gibbons went through on goal and lifted his effort over the on-rushing Winstone to give Longlevens the lead, but after Tainton cut in on the left side of the box, Rowsell fired in off the post from 20 yards.
Browne and Bevan both had chances early in the second half, with the game in the balance, before Josh Barclay headed a Tainton corner against the bar.
Amo Jallowki was lucky to not be dismissed for a second yellow after a foul on Rowsell, following an earlier yellow for dragging down Browne.
But after Tainton’s crossfield pass picked him out, Browne let fly to beat Poole and restore his side’s lead.
Those two combined again late on, as Tainton sent a ball through for Browne, who slotted past Poole to complete the scoring.
But Longlevens nearly set up an exciting finish, with Bevan forcing Winstone into two smart stops in the final minutes to preserve the Swans’ two goal lead and book their place in the final.
Slimbridge U18s: Winstone, Moore, Marshfield, Page, Barclay, Djiaha-Nsangou, Browne, Rowsell, Hopkins, Tainton, Neveu
Subs: Smith, Mann, Carpenter, Whitehead, Wasley
Longlevens U18s: Poole, Lawrence, Boakes, Demirok, Jallowki, Bee, Bevan, Tomlinson, Harris, Gibbons, Carter
Subs: Walsh, Humphris, Beachus, Perrins, Myles
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Theo Browne (Slimbridge U18s)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out the list of Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
