Tainton brothers inspire young Swans victory in seven goal thriller with 10-man Dursley
Substitute James Tainton inspired Slimbridge u18s to an enthralling 4-3 victory over 10-man Dursley Town u18s at Thornhill Park on Tuesday night, writes Sam Yapp.
The Swans leapfrogged their opponents to second in the Floodlit Spilt Division One and made it six matches unbeaten.
Town suffered their third defeat in six matches which saw them drop out of the top two with hopes of finishing up there slightly dwindled.
But Town took a well-deserved lead on 27 minutes after Cian Fitzgerald scrambled a close ranged effort over the line after the Swans failed to clear a low cross.
James Tainton made an instant impact after being brought on at half time, slotting the ball into an empty net after Matt Adkins failed to hold onto a strong shot on 46 minutes.
The Swans turned the game on its head on 62 minutes when Will Tainton poached a goal on the line after Kieran Bennett’s effort was deflected upwards.
A manic minute occurred shortly after, as on 65 minutes Town went level, when Haydn Evans turned a low cross past, Evan Coombs.
It was level for all of 50 seconds however as straight up the other end James Tainton curled an effort into the bottom corner from 18-yeards putting the Swans back ahead.
Town made things harder for themselves on 71 minutes when midfielder, Liam Clark, was shown a second yellow card and given his marching orders following a late challenge.
But Town’s response was instant, as two minutes later Evans picked out Theo Browne at the back post who drilled his effort past Coombs from a tight angle.
The visitors thought they had salvaged a point until the Tainton brothers completed their showcase on 83 minutes when Will headed James’ inviting cross into the bottom left corner.
Thornhill erupted at the winner which saw Will Tainton grab yet another brace this season taking his tally to 37 goals, the most scored by any player in the Floodlit since the leagues formation in 2019.
The Swans are back in action on Thursday night as they travel to Lydney Town u18s whilst Dursley have one final game to play this season, also away to Lydney on Wednesday 8th May.
Slimbridge U18s: Coombs (GK), Stratford, Morgan, Barclay, Wainwright, Jagger, Hall, Portch, Bennett, W. Tainton, Low
Subs: Thomas, J. Tainton, Askari, E. Browne, Pullin
Dursley Town U18s: Adkins (GK), Freeman, Wayman, Evans, Price, Poskett, Clarke, A. Mann, Weyman, Fitzgerald, T. Browne
Subs: Anderson, Bateman, Martin, Jones, B. Mann
C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – James Tainton (Slimbridge u18s)
READ MORE: Check out the list of fixtures in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
