The first half saw Slimbridge come out with more intent, with this intent rewarded on 32 minutes as Joe Stokes put the visitors ahead with a stunning free kick strike. 

Paulton pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but it was substitute Joe Shutt who doubled the Swans' lead. In the build-up, Olly Sully turned his man before seeing his shot parried into the path of Shutt, who fired home. 

The two goals, coupled with a solid defensive performance, proved enough as the Swans secured their first FA Trophy win since September 2019. 

The opening 10 minutes saw both keepers forced into action, with Paulton's Archie Matthews standing firm to deny Alex Bell from a Theo Browne cross, while at the other end, a Paulton effort had Ronnie Newbery scrambling across his goal line to make his first save of the afternoon. 

Slimbridge debutant Luke Bence produced an important block at the back on 26 minutes as the home side looked to open the scoring.

However, just past the half hour mark, it was Stokes who broke the deadlock, bending a free kick into the top corner, Matthews' touch not enough to keep the strike out. 

Instantly after the goal, Stokes followed Jack Smith in being forced off through injury, with the Swans making another enforced change before half-time. 

There was still time for another piece of great goalkeeping before the break, as Newbery produced a sharp reaction save to keep out a deflected Paulton effort and ensure the Swans went into the second half ahead. 

In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, the Swans had two identical penalty shouts turned away, with Jacob Rodgers on both occasions beating his defender before being brought down.

Just moments after the second decision, Paulton broke and won a corner, which was eventually cleared off the line by Bell to keep the Swans' lead intact. 

On 65 minutes, substitute Sam Moseley squandered a big chance to double the lead. Alert in the build-up, Moseley won the ball back high up the pitch before sprinting beyond the Paulton defence, but took one touch too many and was closed down by the keeper before getting his shot away. 

10 minutes from time, Slimbridge had their second. Not even a minute after being brought on the pitch, Shutt was alert to tap home a parried Sully shot, securing the win, and sending the travelling Swans into celebration. 

Two goals, a clean sheet, and a strong overall performance means the club will travel to face Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy First Round Qualifying on Saturday, August 29.

Up next, a long-awaited start to the league campaign. With the Swans hosting the same opposition (Swindon Supermarine) at Thornhill Park on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 19:45, and it would be great to have you with us as we look to kick the league campaign off in positive fashion. 

For those who are joining us, Wednesday night will also be an opportunity for the Swans family to come together in support of one of it's own, with collection buckets around Thornhill Park raising money for Teddy, Charlie Hitchings' son, who the club sadly found out is ill again. We'd encourage everyone attending to bring some change along, give what they can, and show support for the family.

If you can't make it to the match, but would like to express your support, you are able to do so with our online link to donate below. 

Team: 1. Newbery, 2. Holmes (Evans 88'), 3. Mathews (Shutt 79'), 4. Lynden, 5. Giles, 6. Bence, 7. Bell (Haswell 84'), 8. Stokes (Moseley 32'), 9. Sully, 10. Smith (C) (Rodgers 12'), 11. Browne. 

Goals: Stokes 32', Shutt 80'.

Slimbridge AFC Supporters' Club MOTM: Jacob Rodgers.