Swans exit cup in 5 goal thriller

Slimbridge travelled to Devon to face Bideford for the second time in three weeks this time in the Buildbase FA Trophy.  After the previous entertaining encounter it was no surprise that the game had several goals unfortunately for the Swans is was at the wrong end. The Swans were forced into a number of team changes due to injury and unavailability and this showed at times especially from set plays.  

The game started brightly for the visitors Jay Malshanskyj making space down the left touchline cutting in and forcing a double save from home keeper Liam Kingston.

On 7 minutes, Bideford were awarded a soft penalty when Malshanskyj was adjudged to have tripped Joe Charles just inside the box.  Fortunately for the Swans, Lewis Adams pulled off a great save from Ryan Turner who followed up the rebound poking it wide of the goal.

Two minutes later Adam Carters shot was deflected wide for a corner as the visitors came under a spell of pressure from the home side who then took the lead through Toby Down heading in the corner.  It was nearly a second for the home team when Ben Woods effort came back off the bar as the Swans failed to clear the ball out of the box.

A minute later the Swans were denied an equaliser Malshanskyj finding Dan King in space his shot was blocked the rebound fell to Will Hawes whose deft chip over Kingston was cleared off the line by Down.

Slimbridge got back on level terms on 17 minutes, Owen Giles ball over the top to King was then fed through to Malshanskyj to fire across the keeper and into the far corner.

On 21 minutes Turners long range effort clattered the Slimbridge bar as both sides were looking for goals and they came in a flurry 5 minutes later.

First a long free kick for Bideford was headed on by Down, the unmarked Carter tapped in past Adams from close range.  Three minutes later the home side extended their lead Aaron Taylors cross from the right finding Carter to head past Adams.

The second half saw Slimbridge push forward to try and get back into the game, Myron Turners cross field ball found Malshanskyj on the right but his shot sailed wide.

The introduction of Edji Mbunga on the hour mark gave the visitors the spark they needed as Mbunga played in King on 67 minutes who coolly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Substitute Jamie Martin almost repeated the move five minutes later after latching onto Ben Deakins long ball forward however Kingston was able to smother Martins early shot.  As the game drew to a close Slimbridge continued to pile bodies forward in search of an equaliser that sadly failed to materialise.

The Swans return to league action this week hosting Melksham Town at Thornhill Park on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.  On Saturday the first team travel to basement side Mangotsfield United while the reserves entertain leaders SC Inkberrow at home.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, N Humphreys, M Ford, O Giles, J White, J Flo (60 E Mbunga), M Turner (67 J Martin), W Hawes (82 E Dunbar), D King, J Malshanskyj 

Goals: J Malshanskyj 17, D King 67

Attendance: 200

Supporters player of the match: Jay Malshanskyj