Young Swans hit Tuffley for six to close gap at top of the table
Slimbridge U18s moved to within three points of the league leaders with a convincing 6-1 win over Tuffley Rovers, on Tuesday night.
Braces from Archie Carpenter and Joe Rowsell alongside efforts from Josh Barclay and Man of the Match Theo Browne say the clinical Young Swans close the gap at the top of the Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League Premier Division.
Slimbridge are three points behind leaders Hereford Pegasus, who drew 1-1 at Longlevens on Monday night and sit in 3rd place with three games in hand over Pegasus and one game in hand over 2nd placed Gloucester City – who also claimed a 4-1 win away at Ledbury Town on Tuesday night.
The visitors went into half time 4-1 to the good with Zak Jones initially pulling one back before two goals in the final three minutes of the first half all but killed the contest.
Carpenter’s second and Browne’s deserved effort added gloss to the score line for the Swans, who were efficient in victory.
It is a quick turnaround for Slimbridge, with a home game against Longlevens to come on Thursday night, before heading to Cirencester Town next Tuesday night.
For Rovers, they are back in action next Tuesday, when they welcome Bishops Cleeve to Glevum Park.
Once again, Tuffley started well and looked bright as they put their visitors under pressure. Precious Abeiya was testing the back line of Slimbridge, but they couldn’t create any clear cut chances.
Theo Browne had an effort saved by Drew Oliver, before Alfie Mann thrashed wide after working a yard of space in the Tuffley box.
The breakthrough came on 11 minutes when Browne skipped past his man down the right byline, with his ball in turned home off the bar by Archie Carpenter.
Slimbridge’s second goal in five minutes gave them breathing space, with a pinpoint corner from the left hand side was headed home by Josh Barclay at the back post.
Browne immediately went close to making it 3-0, but Oliver stood tall and saved at his near post.
Tuffley needed to bounce back and to their credit, they did. Kaalen Venna cut back on the left hand side before swinging in a beautiful cross for Zak Jnnes to head into the bottom corner.
But the wind was blasted out of Rovers’ sails with two goals in three minutes. First, Oliver got down to save a Mann free kick, but Joe Rowsell’s follow up was deemed to have to crossed the line and the two goal cushion was restored.
Rowsell added his second in injury time at the end of the half, prodding home after the ball pinballed around the Tuffley box.
Carpenter bagged his second just after half time, firing home after a free kick was headed down to the edge of the box.
And Browne rounded off the scoring just past the hour mark, blasting past Oliver after Mann’s solo run and effort was blocked.
Slimbridge saw the final half an hour out comfortably enough to ensure they capped off a big night for the whole club.
Tuffley Rovers U18s: Oliver, Smith, Roche, Ahmed, Mann, Shyamapant, Jones, Tyler, Abeiya, Venna, Roberts
Subs: Rose, Zembrey, Morrison, Adeusi
Slimbridge U18s: Winstone, Greening, Whitehead, Wasley, Barclay, Mee, Browne, Rowsell, Mann, Carpenter, Howarth
Subs: Smith, Oram, Parker-Delves, Mace, Djiaha-Nsangou
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Theo Browne (Slimbridge U18s)
