Price sent off as Swans swoop (From Stroud News and Journal)

Price sent off as Swans swoop

GLS Hellenic Premier Division

Shortwood Utd 0 Slimbridge 2

SLIMBRIDGE'S Joe Tustain helped himself to two second-half goals that settled a hard- fought clash at Meadowbank, in a game that saw Shortwood United goalkeeper James Price controversially dismissed after the Swans took the lead on 63 minutes.

Drama ensued when Doug Foxwell's side were awarded a corner instead of an anticipated throw-in.

Tustain connected with Rob Cruse's corner-kick and the ball went into the net off the underside of the bar from 14 yards. Price momentarily berated the assistant for the corner decision and was subsequently red-carded.

Earlier, United's Rich Evans had a chance to open the scoring after being put through by the impressive Tim Haddock, but goalkeeper Adam Thomas palmed away his attempted lob.

United were making all the early running and Leon Sterling had to make a saving tackle on a surging run from James Singh. Slimbridge steadied and Fred Ward set up Robbie Colwell to fire at Price who made an excellent stop.

As the interval approached, Haddock's low drive only just missed the Slimbridge post by a whisker, before the last action of the half saw Jon Embling put in a searching ball for Tustain, who, by a toe's length, was short of turning it into the net.

After the break. Haddock again went close for United with a reply from the visitors when Ward volleyed just wide from a long Embling free-kick.

As the hour mark passed, it was noticeable that Slimbridge were getting on top and this was confirmed when they took the lead through Tustain.

With Rich Kerry taking over from Price United were up against it. Kerry made a couple of good saves from Colwell and Tustain as United stuttered for a while, but then came drama at the other end.

Thomas was penalised for stepping out of his area. Haddock's effort from the 18 yard line flew off the defensive wall and only narrowly missed the post.

The game was effectively sealed for Slimbridge when the second goal arrived on 84 minutes.

Steve Badham was put away down the left with an exquisitely weighted pass from Mike Green and Tustain was on hand to score his own second goal at the far post.

Kerry denied Tustain a hat-trick in the closing seconds with a tremendous flying parry.

Shortwood United: J. Price, N. Long, J. Tubb, B. Newman, I. Preece, J. Singh, T. Haddock (Capt.), C. Greenough, R. Kerry, R. Evans (L. Kavanagh 82), B. Pugh.

Slimbridge: Adam Thomas, R. Cruse, Ashley Thomas, Mike Green, J. Embling (S. Badham 73), L. Sterling (Capt.), E. Ward, Matt Green (P. Miller 64), J. Tustain, R. Colwell, J. Cole.