Match Preview

By James Batchelor

City face the first of two trips to Slimbridge in a week on Saturday, as we take on the Hellenic Premier Division’s fourth-placed side at Thornhill Park.

In the season’s earlier match-up between the sides, Slimbridge frustrated City in a tight contest at Claines Lane which finished 1-1, a result which ended City’s remarkable winning run which had stretched to 11 matches, falling just short of a 46 year record. This may provide City and manager Chris Cornes with an extra incentive in this game to ensure the 3 points are brought back to Worcestershire.

After last week’s postponement, Chris Cornes’ side will be looking forward to getting back to league action, and will be boosted by Tuesday night’s resounding 5-2 away win over local rivals Pershore Town. Liam Lockett seems to have replicated his hot form from earlier in the season by managing to bag two in the win, his first goal since the Highworth Town win on New Year’s Day, to take his tally to 23 for the season, one behind Kyle Belmonte in the City charts, who himself grabbed City’s second on the night. Skipper Adam Mace may also be looking to make it three goals in three games to continue his recent goalscoring form.

Calvin Dinsley looks to be a real doubt for this trip but also the next few weeks, after going down in the first 10 minutes with an apparent hamstring injury. That could open to door for Jordan Lymn in the middle of the park, or possibly Cam Monteith, who had last week signed on dual registration terms with Studley, but may now see his chance of minutes increase for City.

Dylan Hart also remains a doubt after being absent from City’s last two cup matches, since the Lichfield victory in the FA Vase.

Jamie Insall proved himself a worthy starter in both of those two matches though, getting goals against both Cheltenham Saracens and Pershore, and even if Hart recovers from his injury, may be likely to start through the middle in Cornes’ starting eleven.

Switching over attentions, the home side Slimbridge come into this game in good form, winning 6 of their last 7 matches in all competitions including being currently on a 4 match winning run. In their last Hellenic Premier Division fixture, the Swans convincingly beat Longlevens 6-0 away from home, showing the goalscoring threat that they can impose on teams.

Their threat going forward can be evidenced in the goalscoring stats, where they current have 3 players in double digits for goals this season. This shows that they are able to spread their goals around the team, however top goal scorer is Rudi McKinnon who currently sits on an impressive 16 goals this season.

Slimbridge’s squad also includes a familiar face for some City fans, with ex City player Joe Hunt playing an important part in the successes of the Gloucestershire side. The former City Right back who made plenty of appearances for the club last season, was a standout performer when the sides met earlier in the season, with the defender managing to win his battle against the electric Liam Lockett, a player who is feared by many defenders in the Division.

Slimbridge AFC play at Thornhill Park, Wisloe Road, Cambridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7AF. Admission is £7 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and Club Members, with Under 16’s priced at £2, and Under 12’s free.