Slimbridge 5–0 Pershore Town
Hellenic League Premier Division – Thornhill Park
Slimbridge stormed to an emphatic 5–0 victory over Pershore Town at Thornhill Park, moving up to third in the Hellenic League table with games in hand on the leaders, writes Tim Blake.
It took until the 38th minute for the breakthrough, but once Jack W. Smith headed home from close range after fine work from Joe Shutt, the Swans never looked back.
Just before half-time, Jacob Rogers doubled the advantage, drilling in from two yards after Pershore goalkeeper Joe Cunneen collided with his own defender, leaving the striker with a simple finish.
After the interval Slimbridge tightened their grip on proceedings. On 52 minutes, Hadyn Evans rose unmarked to nod home a Charlie Mathews free kick, before Smith volleyed in his second of the game three minutes later, once again supplied by the outstanding Shutt.
The pick of the goals came on 67 minutes. Spotting Cunneen off his line, Shutt produced a spectacular 40-yard lob that sailed into the net to complete a dominant afternoon for the home side.
From start to finish, the Swans controlled the contest, with Shutt tormenting the Pershore defence throughout and rightly earning the Supporters Club Man of the Match award.
Team: Sarkodie, Mara, Mathews (Hughes 60), Kang, Hitchings (Blacker 67), Ponting (Hunt 41), Shutt, Evans (Hanson 67), Jack Smith (Ahmed 60), Jack W. Smith, Rogers
Goals: Jack W. Smith (38, 55), Rogers (42), Evans (52), Shutt (67)
Supporters Club Man of the Match: Joe Shutt
Under 18s Hit Seven in FA Youth Cup
Slimbridge Under 18s also enjoyed a memorable week, cruising into the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a 7–0 win at Frome Town.
Goals came from James Tainton (2), Alfie Mann (2), Josh Barclay, Archie Howarth and Joe Greening.
The young Swans will find out their next opponents soon, but attention now turns to league action, as they host Tuffley Rovers at Thornhill Park on Tuesday 9th September (7.30pm).
