FAV4 Downton 0 Slimbridge 0 (4-3 pens)

17 January 2026

No report last weekend – Brock were postponed and for once we chose to go and watch the Devs, who beat Clanfield 6-0: a classy hattrick from Dylan, goals for Henry and Rian (how good it was to see him back) and also from Will Giles, whose second half cameo was definitely one of the highlights of the afternoon.   Better than no football at all – on which note, neither Brock nor Andover New Street have played yet in 2026 and that continued this afternoon with a postponement thanks to the incessant rain of the last few days.  Badgers have played two league games since 15 November – once upon a time, everyone had games in hand on us, now those tables are turning!  So – a second successive report on the Robins, rather bizarrely.  No, I haven’t switched allegiance, but their third round Vase game made most appeal of the games on offer as a replacement.

Slimbridge – a town perhaps best known for its wonderful Wetland Centre, which definitely warrants a visit if you haven’t been – their football team having a very good season to date, sitting third in the Hellenic League Premier, four points off top spot but with games in hand (and they have a great away kit!).  This was certainly not going to be a walk in the park for Downton, who had presumably dusted themselves down after their thumping at Stoneham Lane last week. 

A hard-fought tussle, this – a huge amount of endeavour on both sides but not too much flowing football (no blame to the pitch, it was a pretty decent surface for mid-January), ball in the air too much and not much goalmouth action – in short, not enough happened.  One early alarm when Casey’s clearance found an opponent 40 yards out who tried to place it back over his head but looped it well wide, but in truth Downton probably had more positive possession in the first half without quite creating the opening. The Swans from Slimbridge looked slicker but didn’t have a clear plan for how to breach an excellent home defence.   HT 0-0

The second half started brightly, with the Robins putting in an early cross but Pitman was under pressure and couldn’t direct his header on target.  48 minutes, the closest either side came in normal time – excellent shot from Evans-Harriott for the Swans, turned round the post by Casey – an actual shot on target!  Downton then worked a corner cleverly, back to Pitman on the edge of the box… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a shot go quite as high, it’s probably still rising.  53 minutes, the moment of controversy – a flick-on, Pitman through, finished calmly into the far corner – disallowed immediately because the ball hit his hand as he brought it under control.  We had a clear view and it was the correct decision, despite the fury of the home bench.  They were still fuming when shouting to their players to ‘stay calm’, which was rather ironic.  Actually a word on the referee: Andrew Dunn was outstanding, calmly in control all afternoon, up with play, not a foot wrong.  Also deserving credit – Archie Whitfield, who ran himself into the ground for the Robins; and Stephen Sarkodie, the Slimbridge keeper, who came for crosses and commanded his box, including one fine punch just ahead of the onrushing Whitfield.  Sub Barnes flicked on intelligently but Jack W Smith couldn’t take the ball with him… Evans-Harriott shot to the near post, saved by Casey… Downton had some near things, but they couldn’t create that clear opening and a shootout looked likely a long way from time. FT 0-0

Penalties.  Is it a cruel way to decide a game?  It’s the same for both sides.  Slimbridge took the first kick: Blackie and Barnes scored; Whitfield and Pitman for Downton.  And then Bell, who had been good all afternoon, sent Casey the wrong way but pulled his shot wide of the post; McGregor scored to give the hosts the advantage; Stokes and Delaney respectively converted and then Evans-Harriott had to score to keep the Swans in it – low to the keeper’s right, Casey guessed correctly and made the save, sparking delirious celebrations.  (4-3 pens)

Hopefully Brock will be back in action next weekend so I’ll see you at… errr… Downton…