Refreshing Return - 24th December

Slimbridge manager James Cole is hoping his players will come back refreshed for their Boxing Day trip to Lydney Town.

With the freezing weather wiping out the whole Hellenic League programme last Saturday, Slimbrige were unable to get back to winning ways against Launton Sports but Cole believes his side needed the break. Two successive draws and five points from a possible 12 has seen the Swans slip to second in Division One West, one point behind league leaders Purton, who have two games in hand.

“I think we needed a rest to be honest, we’ve played more than other teams,” said Cole (pictured). “We were going to Launton hoping to get back on the winning track, but I’m happy with the lads and what they have done in a new league. For a long time expectations have been high at Slimbridge and we want to get promoted but you need to give respect to teams who work hard. They’ve shown we have to break them down with skill, which is expected at Slimbridge. We’ve had four new players come in from Hardwicke, who won the league last year, so it will take time for them to settle in, but they’re quality players and we’ve got a good bunch. Hopefully we’ll come back refreshed, start on the winning trail, and that task starts at Lydney. We beat them at home but I felt they were a good side. They’re from the Forest, which is always a hard place to go, and it’s difficult to rack the players up on Boxing Day.”

Slimbridge are aiming for their third successive promotion since they pulled out of the Southern League and reformed through their reserves. Cole confirmed they have applied to play in the Hellenic Premier Division next season and he believes they are currently in a strong position to win another title. “You always need to be in the mix at Christmas,” he said.
“We’re second at the minute, some teams have got two games in hand but they need to win them. I would have taken this at the start of the season. We’ve got some hard games but that’s why we’ve got a good squad to handle it. I’m excited and I want to get Slimbridge back where we were before. We’ve also applied for the FA Vase and FA Cup next season, which are competitions we want to be in and we should be in.”

Assistant manager Leon Sterling will take charge for Saturday’s trip to Lydney as Cole is on holiday.

Line Drawn - 2nd October

Division One West leaders Slimbridge underlined their title credentials with a 6-1 demolition of Premier Division Binfield in the Challenge Cup last week.

They return to league action tomorrow when North Leigh Reserves visit Wisloe Road. Slimbridge have recorded nine wins and one draw in their opening 10 league games of this season, conceding just three times. Leigh's second string started the new campaign with back-to-back 3-0 wins but have failed to find a victory in their last eight games and are languishing inside the bottom four.

Swans Look Out For Moles - 25th September

Division One West leaders Slimbridge will pit their wits against FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier high-fliers Binfield in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup, which is sponsored by Bluefin Sports Insurance.

Slimbridge were Premier Division champions in 2007 but withdrew from the Southern League due to financial reasons and had to replace their reserve team in the Northern Senior League. The Swans are now in the ascendancy once again and have won nine out of 10 league games so far this season, conceding only three goals, to go five points clear at the summit.
Binfield, who were promoted to the Premier last season after winning Division One East, are unbeaten in five under the guidance of Steve McClurg.

McClurg's Moles are unbeaten at home in the league and will start as favourites to protect that record in the cup clash at Stubbs Lane.