Slimbridge recorded their fourth league win on the bounce in 2024 with a resilient and hard working victory over Worcester Raiders in the surreal surroundings of Sixways Stadium, with just over 200 fans occupying one stand in the 12,000 seat arena. 

George Neill was central to the win scoring two goals and being fouled for what ended up being the deciding penalty, but it was an afternoon where every single player made huge contributions to a very satisfactory and deserved result for the visiting team.

Slimbridge made the better start to the game, and Rudi McKinnon shot over early after George Neill’s shot was blocked following a long throw from Ben Hands into the Raiders box. A minute later, McKinnon forced a save from Raiders Keeper Tom Hayward after a probing run. 

On 15 minutes, Jack Smith was next to try his luck, bringing another save from Hayward, while Raiders had their first effort on goal a minute later, when Zaqib Hussain brought a save from Ellis Parker. 

With twenty minutes on the clock, George Neill broke the deadlock in glorious fashion, meeting a cross from Hands, and then turning his man before drilling the ball home to put the Swans ahead. 

Hussain was still causing problems for the Slimbridge back line, and after an effort that was saved by Parker, a quick break from the home side saw him covert from Jordan Murphy’s pass to level things up on the half hour. 

It only took Slimbridge three minutes to restore their lead however, a lovely ball from Smith saw Neill through one on one with the keeper, and he kept his nerve the slide the ball home and put the Swans back ahead. 

Myron Turner and Hands both had efforts that came to nothing before the break, but the Half Time whistle saw Slimbridge deservedly in the driving seat.

As was to be expected, Raiders came out sharply after the break, and put pressure on the visitors with a series of high balls into the box, looking to take advantage of the height in their side. After several near close misses, on the hour mark, Daniele Reka nodded home a corner to level things up.

A triple substitution from Slimbridge on 73 minutes sought to break the deadlock that the game had become, but it took until the 87^th minute for the winning goal to arrive. Neill chased down a through ball that saw the Raiders back line inexplicably all stop for some reason, and as he closed in on goal, a clumsy challenge from Charlie Foley saw Neill felled in the Raiders box, and Referee Gareth McMahon awarded the visitors a spot kick. 

Harrison Reeves, one of the players brought on in the substitutions, took the responsibility for the kick and placed the ball in the corner of the net giving Hayward no chance, and leaving the travelling fans in full voice as Slimbridge played out time. 

The win lifts the Swans to fifth place in the Hellenic Premier League. 

Speaking after the game, Supporters Club Man of the Match Sam Blackie was generous in his praise for the team - ‘There could have been three or four (Man of the Match awards), George was brilliant today, Theo did well when he was down the wing, Smithy is always good in the ten, and always causing problems, and Handsy next to me, he was always battling and that makes it easy to play in the middle with him.

I thought the boys were brilliant today, all round. We started off real quick, and came out of the traps. Obviously going in half time at 2-1 was good, but we let an easy goal slip. But we did really well to come back, with the late goal, it’s always nice to get a late winner, and then we held on.

Since the turn of the year, we’ve played four in the League and won four, so we’re really getting a bit of momentum now. It’s always good to have points on the board rather than games in hand, and that pushes us up into the Play Off’s, so hopefully we can take that onto the next game on Wednesday.’

Slimbridge are in League action on Wednesday (7.45pm) when they travel to Longlevens, before they host Champions elect Worcester City at Thornhill Park on Saturday (3.00pm). A large travelling contingent is expected for this game, so fans are urged to arrive early to ensure they are inside the ground in good time. 

Slimbridge Under 18’s at Thornhill Park on Tuesday (7.30pm) when they entertain Lydney Town Under 18’s.

Team: Parker, Turner, Prictor, Hands, Dennis, Hitchings, McKinnon (Reeves 73), Blackie, Neill, Smith (Thomas 73), Clayson (Mbunga 73)

Supporters Club Man of the Match: Sam Blackie