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Honours ended even at Thornhill Park, as Bristol Manor Farm were held to a 1-1 draw against Slimbridge AFC, writes William Ledbury.
Fresh off the back of their thumping 4-0 home victory against Highworth Town last weekend, the Farm were looking to make it consecutive victories and close the gap at the top-end of the table.
It was a dream start for Lee Lashenko’s men, who served his final eight match stadium ban on Saturday afternoon, with the Farm opening the scoring through defender Josh Ford inside five minutes. Jake Gosling raised his arms and whipped a delicious cross into the Swans penalty area, giving Ford the simple task of burying his header past Lewis Adams into the back of the net.
Despite going a goal down early on, The Swans wouldn’t let that deter them as they instantly searched for an equaliser. Forward Jamie Martin, who recently returned to full fitness, saw his header miss the target after a cross from Jordan Yeo. The aforementioned midfielder delivered another opportunity for the hosts, but this time Nathan Dennis headed off-target.
On 20 minutes, Slimbridge missed a glorious opportunity to equalise. Swans striker Edji Mbunga, who scored a hat-trick against Cirencester in recent weeks, was looking to stretch his impressive goal return and bring his side level. Mbunga was released on goal, but the advancing Ben John made a remarkable one-on-one save to keep the Farm ahead.
It was the Farmers turn to create chances of their own, with the illustrious Gosling setting up Lloyd Mills who could only stand and watch his strike go wide of the target.
Just before the half hour mark, Mbunga very nearly turned provider for his attacking counterpart Martin, but the reliable John stepped up once again to deny Slimbridge from levelling the scores.
In an end-to-end half of football, Farm could have extended their lead when Lucas Vowles and former Swans midfielder Mike Bryant had efforts blocked.
Referee Thomas Staten signalled the end of the first-half, with Manor Farm edging the match after Ford’s early goal. 0-1.
The second period started in similar fashion to the first, with opportunities being presented to both sides. It was the Farm who came closest first, with Vowles looking to add his second Bristol Manor Farm goal after his loan deal was extended on Thursday afternoon. The young forward released a strike on goal, but home keeper Adams pulled off a fine stop to deny him.
On 54 minutes, Slimbridge would finally be rewarded for their persistence. The Swans broke down the right flank, and midfielder Yeo spotted the runs of Mbunga and Martin advancing into the Farm area. Either forward could have made a connection, but it was Mbunga who got to the ball first to head past John.
Arguably the Farm’s best chance of the half came on 60 minutes. With the ball going out for a Farm corner, Gosling had another opportunity to deliver one of his trademark crosses. Raising his arms once again, the dead ball was expertly floated to the back post and defender Ford’s fierce header was miraculously kept out by Adams.
On 75 minutes, it was ‘heart in mouth’ stuff for the Farm who almost went behind. Swans striker Martin chased a loose ball, and chipped the advancing John only to see his lobbed-effort crash off the crossbar and cleared to safety.
John had to be alert in the final stages as Ben McLean’s strike was kept out.
Referee Staten drew the afternoon’s entertainment to a close, with the result extending the Farm’s unbeaten run to two matches. We would like to thank Slimbridge for their brilliant hospitality for our players, committee and supporters, as well as making donations to the Ukrainian collection.
STAR MAN, Ben John.
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