Malmesbury Victoria 0, Slimbridge 2 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Malmesbury Victoria 0, Slimbridge 2

MALMESBURY Victoria gave a good account of themselves before going out of the FA Vase to Hellenic Premier side Slimbridge.

A goal in each half from Will Morford was enough for the visitors but the Vics can be proud of the way they competed against a side near the top of the league above them.

Malmesbury started the game with a 3-6-1 formation designed to stifle Slimbridge and for the most part it worked as the visitors created very few clear cut chances in the game.

Indeed, it was the home side who had the first sight of goal when Andy Mitchell made himself space on the edge of the box but his well struck left foot shot was too close to the goalkeeper.

Slimbridge were shading possession without looking overly threatening so it was a slight surprise when they took the lead just after the half hour mark when a mis-hit shot bounced over Martin Woodhouse's as he dived to his right.

Undeterred Malmesbury kept going and almost equalised on the stroke of half time.

Good work from Mitchell down the right saw him break away and from his low cross Ben Fitch saw his clever back-heel roll agonisingly wide.

With five minutes left Slimbridge secured the victory as Malmesbury lost possession in midfield and with players pushing forward a through ball was poked past Woodhouse by the Morford.

At the death Malmesbury had their best chance as Fitch robbed the last defender and ran clear on goal but his finish was too close to the goalkeeper.

Next Saturday Malmesbury entertain Wiltshire Premier side Westside in the Wiltshire Senior Cup.