Young Robins beaten at Slimbridge
Cheltenham Town were beaten by Slimbridge in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup on the club’s first ever visit to their lovely Wisloe Road ground.
A goal either side of the interval by Paul Fahy and Sean Lawson ensured the Swans deservedly progressed to the semi-final stage to face Bishop’s Cleeve, who defeated Yate Town 3-2 on the night.
It was the Swans first match in the competition since rising to the Southern League, but they had to survive an early scare when Callum Brown was called to clear his line to prevent Alex Dinsmore giving Jamie Victory’s side an early lead.
Fahy struck after 20 minutes, out-muscling Matt Bowyer to slot home well from the inside left channel. The centre half slipped a moment later, but Lawson saw his effort well saved.
There was a good chance for Dinsmore when he was released by a searching ball by Jordan Lymn, but the striker couldn’t beat Adam Thomas in goal.
The second arrived 12 minutes after the turnaround, Lawson capitalising on a calamitous defensive mix-up which allowed the forward to turn home Bradley Martin’s cut back.
The young Robins responded well and Lewis Thompson saw a decent effort pushed away, while Lymn opened up the home side down the right but Dinsmore missed a sitter from a couple of yards.
Substitute Joe Hance watched a well hit volley flash past the left upright, but a full strength Slimbridge side saw out the final moments to notch their first ever win in the competition.
SLIMBRIDGE AFC (4-4-2): Thomas; Brown (Smith, 46), Turl, Thwaite, Mace; Twyman, Turner, Ward; Lawson (Orchard, 68), Martin, Fahy (Martin, 46). Subs not used: Sterling, Smith.
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Tetek; Cordell, Kilkenny, Bower, Rowe; Lymn (Hance, 72), Mendes, Nutting, Chambers; Dinsmore (Hancocks, 78), Thompson.
REFEREE: R MorrisÂ
ATTENDANCE: 110