Slimbridge return to Hampshire was not as successful as the previous week, despite playing well an early second half spell from the home side put the game just out of reach of the Swans.  

However the biggest highlight of the game was a league debut and goal for Liam Harper, who has successfully progressed through the clubs youth development pathway from the U18s to the reserves and now the first team.

The Swans had an early chance, a corner was cleared by the hosts and from a throw in, Mike Fords cross was headed into home keeper Ryan Gosney’s arms by Will Hawes.

The home side applied a spell of pressure on the visitors Claudio Herbert in particular making a number of lively runs from the midfield but failing to register a shot on target.

Around the half hour mark Ben Prictors teasing cross into the box was claimed by Gosney then Hawes fired a shot just inches over the bar.  At the other end Lewis Adams saved Joe Adams effort and soon after Charlie Wagstaffe’s fierce drive was deflected over the bar with Adams doing well to punch the resulting corner clear.

Sholing came out in the second half in a strong determined mood, and it was Herbert that put the home side ahead driving a shot from the right past Adams 4 minutes after the restart.  From the kick off a long ball forward saw Herbert chip Adams but his effort fell wide.

A long range shot a minute later from Robin Nicholls found the back of the net leaving the Swans shell shocked and two goals down.  Sholing continued to look for more goals through Herbert, Adams and Jake Cope all forcing saves from the visiting keeper Adams. Just before the hour mark Cope struck an effort against the post with Adams beaten.

On 61 minutes Swans reserve team captain Liam Harper was introduced as a substitute replacing Adam Price.  Slimbridge failed to give up hope Edji Mbunga fired a free kick straight to Gosney and Jamie Martin fired just over.

As the visitors continued to press forward, an neat move from the back involving Toby Lawrence, Ben McLean and Ford saw Harper tuck the ball into the net from just inside the box.

In the final moments of the game Martin almost equalised when his goal bound shot was tipped over the bar by Gosney.

This week the Swans host Melksham Town on Saturday before Cinderford Town visit again the following Wednesday in the league cup.

Slimbridge: L Adams, B Deakin, B Prictor, B McLean, N Dennis, B Hands, E Mbunga, M Ford, W Hawes, A Price, M Thomas

Subs Used: L Harper, J Martin, T Lawrence

Attendance: 153

Supporters player of the match: Lewis Adams