Swans gain another point on the road

Slimbridge gained a well-deserved point on the road playing in heavy rain against a difficult Highworth team. A number of changes in the side saw Dean Turner and Ben Deakin return to the starting line-up and Alex Hainault taking a spot on the bench after being given the all clear to play after recently breaking his nose.

It was the Swans kicking up the slope that had a majority of the early play, patiently passing the ball around from the back.  Joel Whites header from a free kick was caught by home keeper Max Schofield then Joe Stokes tried his luck but Schofield was able to make the save.

The visitors were nearly caught out when Leon Morrison headed wide from Liam Haines cross. Edji Mbunga was sent clear on 20 minutes from Stokes ball over the top again Schofield acted quickly heading the ball away to safety.

As the half wore on, the home side started to get more into the game and caused a scare on 25 minutes, a cross from Oliver Rejek on the right was cut out at the near post for a corner, the initial clearance was picked up by Morrison who fired over.

Four minutes later Lewis Adams saved Rejek shot, the ball came back to Rejek after failing to be cleared in the box and Adams did well to save again this time with his feet and the ball going for a corner kick.  The corner was sent in and found Christopher Jackson in space to head the home side into the lead.

Both sides continued to play some neat passing football as the rain increased Schofield punching away a Slimbridge corner before Jordan Murray cased panic in the visitors box rounding Adams but his cross was cleared.

Slimbridge continued to work hard leading up to the half time whistle, and this payed off on 43 minutes, a free kick 40 yards out on the left was played short to Nick Humphreys he ran the ball down the flank and his cross was met by Jay Malshanskyj to poke home inside the box and bring the scores level

The second half was more open, Callum Mcghee-Pasons shot was saved by Adams at the near post early after the restart.  A Stokes run forward saw him link up with Dean Turner who pushed the ball through to Mbunga but a good tackle from a home defender denied the Swans striker from getting his shot away.

The visitors took the lead on the hour mark; a long ball from Adams found Malshanskyj in space on the right his pass failed to find the initial target of Mbunga however Johan Flo was well placed to strike the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

The introduction of Alex Hainault a few minutes later gave the Swans a boost when his run from the back down the right flank saw a pin point cross delivered to the far post Malshanskyj just heading wide.

Highworth started to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser and gained a free kick on the right edge of the box on 80 minutes.  The kick was fired in to the far post where Morrison was waiting to head home and bring the scores level again.

There was still chances for both sides, Mathew Grabe skipping past two Swans defenders before forcing a save from Adams, then Stokes ball over the top to Malshanskyj was blocked by Schofield then on the final whistle Stokes shot was blocked for a corner.

A valuable point on the road for the Swans leaves them sitting in mid table.  This weekend the first team face Barnstaple Town at home, the reserves travel to Shipston Excelsior while the Under 18s face Bristol Central at the Slimbridge playing fields.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin (63 A Hainault), N Humphreys, M Ford, C Turner, J White, J Flo (77 M Turner), D Turner (85 J Twyman), J Malshanskyj, J Stokes, E Mbunga 

Unused Subs: B Prictor, E Dunbar

Goals: J Malshanskyj 43, J Flow 60

Attendance: 135

Supporters player of the match: J Malshanskyj