Longlevens 1 - 2 Slimbridge

Longlevens of the Uhisport Hellenic Premier Division opened their pre-season friendly campaign against local Southern League opponents Slimbridge at the Sawmills Ground last night.

A late pre-match change to regular keeper Ollie Hall with a shoulder strain saw reliable Mark Harris pick up the gloves. Both teams fielded their full first team squads. From half time in the time honoured tradition of pre-season friendlies the full playing strengths were utilised by a roll on roll off substitutions.

Kicking towards the Ibis Hotel end in new "Bournemouth style" kit sponsored by Carter's Construction Levens could make little head way and were pinned back in their own half as Slimbridge settled earlier and better with some neat pass and move football. It was a lively start by Slimbridge and Levens keeper Harris was soon called upon saving well by his near post. Then Liam Orchard had a half chance for the Swans but headed over. Then Harris made a great save from Orchard again who was causing the Levens defence some problems down the right. Yet another good save by Levens keeper Harris pushing the ball over the bar.

Longlevens were trying hard to get a grip on the game and a moment of quality saw captain Craig Martin shuffle and unleashed a tremendous shot against the bar and post angle and bounce back into play.This was a rare piece of Levens offence at this stage. Slimbridge continued to generally control the game but lacked a good final ball and finish to be able to punish Levens. Also Longlevens keeper "Harri" was starting to have a fine game and accumulate a string of saves to keep Levens in the game.

However. on 30 minutes Longlevens had respite and broke out of the Slimbridge grip and a good move saw McDonald and O'Connor combine the ball was laid left to the overlapping left back Craig Beaton and lovely hard cross at knee height flashed across the Slimbridge goal and there was goal predator Brad Martin to side foot firmly into the centre of the Swans goal. . Against the run of play but welcome relieve.

Slimbridge came back strongly and again Levens keeper Harris was the saviour - Rich Thwaite headed straight at Harris ; another save with his feet then a one on one with Orchard and Harris came to the rescue yet again Levens were holding on 1-0 as the half time whistle came.

The second half resumed in a similar pattern but play was becoming more and more scrappy. Longlevens were not matching Slimbridge in pass possession and the ball was not being held up and or stringing passes. together

Then a weak back header by Longlevens allowed Sean Lawson of the Swans to equalise comfortably. Then a good run by Levens McDonald lifted the home side but his final cross field pass was over hit and the move faded. Levens had only been able to get a possession game going in fits and starts and with a lively ball and bouncy pitch frustration crept in as the ball was given away or a long punt was wasted.

Slimbridge wore Levens down and the winning goal was inevitable but was still fortuitous as a Levens defender sliced a cross from the right into his own net. 1-2 to the Swans!

The second half petered out and there was too much aerial football to entertain a reasonable size but quiet crowd. There was still time for Levens to have two last flurries down the right but the respective pull backs from the right bi-line were disappointing and the chance to equalise went begging.

All in all the good things were match fitness and practice gained with some Levens players looking rusty but one would expect natural improvement in the build up to the real season. Slimbridge looked a good footballing side neat and tidy in their play but lacking perhaps a cutting edge striker ? Levens man of the match was stand in keeper Mark Harris.

The match was very sporting but competitive and well managed by the officials Tom Staten; Adam McAnoy and Steve Glyde.

LONGLEVEN SQUAD = Harris; Kavanagh; Beaton; Merrick;Smyllie; Hughes; Craig Martin; Rich; O'Connor; Brad Martin; McDonald; May; Welch; Dunn; Montgomery

SLIMBRIDGE SQUAD = Sharman;Turl; Ryan Thwaite;Hoyle; Rich Thwaite; Twyman;Ward;Oldham;Martin; Cant; Orchard; Mace; Thompson; Haskayne; Major; Lawson; Walker; Davies;