Bet Victor South Division One South 19th September 2020
Slimbridge AFC 3 – 6 Basingstoke Town Attendance 148
Where: Thornhill Park, Wisloe Road, Cambridge. GL2 7AF
Well the game yesterday finally proved that the game is never over as we proudly sit top of the table.
Manager Dan Brownlie’s starting line-up for this all-important opening league game of the season was; 1. Julian Schwarzer, 2. Aiden Lewis, 3. Adam Everiss, 4. Lewis Hayden, 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Daryl Wollers 7. George Reid, 8. Ben Cook, 9. George Hallahan, 10. Bradley Wilson, 11. Harrison Cliff
On the bench: Dylan Ive, Lloyd Snell, McKoy Palmer, Shaun Dallimore and James Smith
With the sun out, and with a cooling breeze behind them, Basingstoke attacked the clubhouse end on the opening day of the season.
However, it was not long just 3 minutes for last season’s worries to return, as the home side take the lead, as a cross from the right-hand wing finds a Slimbridge forward at the far post who heads the ball past Schwarzer into the net and we go behind.
Slimbridge are back on it again and another shot is well blocked by Daryl Wollers.
George Reid goes on his first run of the day, but the cross has no-one in the box to put it home.
Then on 18 minutes a goalkeeping error allows, Slimbridge to double their lead.
The many travelling away fans are getting restless!
We then have four decent chances in the next seven minutes, as a shot from George Reid, just flies past the far post, a decent passing movement ends with Bradley Wilson’s shot again narrowly missing the goal, then Wilson’s next chance scrapes the far post from a shot from the left-hand edge of the box. Then a Reid free-kick forces a save from the keeper.
Slimbridge then have another chance on 31 minutes, but Schwarzer makes a comfortable save.
Another chance for Stoke goes begging on 36 as George Hallahan’s header from close range can’t beat the Slimbridge keeper.
Then with a minute to go before halftime, a curling shot from 30yds has beaten Schwarzer and we head into the break trailing 3-0.
We make a halftime change as Harrison Cliff is replaced by McKoy Palmer. The second-half gets underway and it’s Stoke who are again looking to break forward through Reid, but a strong but clean tackle brings an abrupt end to that.
We are then forced to make another change as Aiden Lewis has a hamstring injury and is replaced by James Smith.
It is not long before Smith makes a difference as on 55 minutes, a nice passing movement down the right allows Smith to cross and Reid comfortably puts it past the keeper GOAL! Slimbridge 3–1 Basingstoke Town
We have another chance on the hour, but a shot is well held by the keeper.
Slimbridge are now being forced back deeper and deeper, as we start to switch the play from side to side, but without creating anything of note.
Hang on! we then pull another goal back as Reid finds Hallahan, who doesn’t miss a chance like this, as he slots the ball away GOAL! Slimbridge 3–2 Basingstoke Town (67Mins)
The Stoke fans are now getting behind the boys, and it’s the few home fans who are now wondering what is happening.
The game gets restarted and within 90 seconds the comeback is complete, as McKoy Palmer finishes beautifully. GOAL! Slimbridge 3–3 Basingstoke Town (69Mins)
The home side are all over the place as we attack down both flanks, and a couple of meaty tackles go in on the halfway line.
YOU BEAUTIES!! We have now taken the lead through Hallahan’s second goal. GOAL! Slimbridge 3–4 Basingstoke Town (73Mins) It’s at this stage your match reporter goes on his own mazy run and jump with joy on the grass down the side of the pitch.
Then just three minutes later (76), McKoy Palmer let’s a shot go from just outside the box, which has the keeper beaten, as it flies into the back of the net. GOAL! Slimbridge 3–5 Basingstoke Town (76Mins)
We make our third change with two-goal star George Hallahan taking a well-earned rest as he is replaced by Dylan Ive.
We make two good timely interventions as first Smith, makes a tackle that bring a Slimbridge attack to a halt, then Wollers headed clearance from a inside the six-yard box again halts any home side comeback.
We are looking for the final whistle to come, but instead we make it SIX, as Ive breaks a way, sets himself and fires home past the keeper. GOAL! Slimbridge 3–6 Basingstoke Town (92Mins)
The referee blows the final whistle on a truly amazing game.
Final Score: Slimbridge 3 – 6 Basingstoke Town
Match Thought’s
I don’t think or expect any Stoke fans their yesterday expected to see that comeback happening, but the six goals sends us top of the table. When was the last time we won on opening day?
Up Next:
The league season takes a break next weekend as the FA Trophy gets underway, and with us getting a bye into the next round we sit idle until Wednesday 30th September when we travel to Larkhall Athletic, one of the few grounds we never visited last season.
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 