Manor Farm made it three wins in nine days after a fantastic away win against Slimbridge.
Both sides came into the game after recording their first league wins at the weekend and a frantic opening 7 minutes was finally brought to life with a moment of sheer magic. A few minutes after a superb last ditch challenge from farm full back Tyler Ashmead kept farm level, Lucas Vowles collected a long ball down the channel and crashed a dipping half volley in the far corner from just wide of the penalty area. Vowles would get his 2nd of the evening and 4th in two games after 20 minutes. Lewis Bamford winning a penalty after a moment of madness from home keeper Lewis Adams, before Vowles cooly slotted home. Farm pushed on and looked very in control until a contentious evening up of first half spot kicks. Johan Flo skipped past a Jamie Turner tackle and despite not going down or appealing for a foul, the referee pointed to the spot. After calming of the protests, Danny King sent debutant keeper Luc Rees the wrong way. Slimbridge would have a chance to equalise straight after, King again seizing on some sloppy play before drilling just wide. The penalty drama wasn’t done for the first half as another clumsy Adams challenge on Vowles led to the striker being honest enough to stay on his feet but was denied a chance to complete his hat trick by the referee waving away the protests.
Like the first, Vowles had the opening chance of the second half, spotting Adams off his line but seeing his chip sail over. His next chance to complete an ever more likely hat trick came 5 minutes later, possibly ignoring better options in Leigh-Gilchrist and Winter, he drove forward and unleashed a fierce drive that was superbly tipped wide by Adams. The home side finally got themselves going, King again weaving in and out before his near post effort was beaten away by Rees. The on loan Forest Green keeper was having a fine debut in the sticks for Farm, being alert a number of times to sweep up potential changes and claiming some difficult crosses under pressure. At the other end Adams busy evening was continuing, somehow escaping punishment for a kick at Lewis Bamford who was disrupting his clearance. Vowles was again involved as the clock ticked to 80, collecting a superb Jay Adams pass but only drilling straight at the keeper. Farm then had their defence to thank for staying ahead, a loose ball was chased by King but a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Jamie Turner. Bamford had another effort just wide before Vowles sealed the game and his hat trick in style. A wonderful ball down the line from Winter found Ashmead whose low cross found the forward, and his superb spin was matched only by his wonderful finish.
Star man – Lucas Vowles