Slimbridge 3 Pewsey Vale 0

AFTER a troubled week, the hearts of the Wisloe Road faithful were warmed by Julian Freeman with a well-taken hat trick for Slimbridge against relegation haunted Pewsey Vale.

John Evans' first game as caretaker manager saw a debut outing for former Shortwood United and Taverners defender James Darby, who displayed some neat touches in front of a back three line up that included Jamie Inch in his first senior game since injury disrupted a promising start to his Slimbridge career last October.

The home side got off to a good start by taking the lead on six minutes when Rich Moore, possibly playing his last game before joining Mangotsfield United, broke down the right from a superbly weighted ball by Tom Radcliffe and hit a low cross that split a retreating defence for Freeman to drive in. Shortly after Moore was put in by Mike Symons but Vale goalkeeper Danny Hopcroft did well to deflect for a corner.

Radcliffe, looking lively in the centre of the Slimbridge mid field, then set up Symons, but the rangy striker's shot was beaten away. As the half progressed Vale came more into the game and missed a good chance on 28 minutes. Some good passing movement up the middle saw Andy Youngsam finally tee up Dave Marfleet, but the shot failed to test Ryan Chandler in the Slimbridge goal.

A resolute Vale were starting to rely more and more on some touch tackling to thwart the home side as the interval approached, with good defensive work denying shots on goal.

The second half opened as the first had finished, Slimbridge attacking and Vale defending stoutly. Freeman and Cole both went close before the former notched his 20th goal of the season and his side's second of the game on 71 minutes. Moore's low drive from the right was spilled by Hopcroft for Freeman to gleefully slot in from close range.

Vale were relying on trying to catch Slimbridge on the break but some good defending from Leon Sterling and skipper Andy Pritchett in particular was highly effective at cutting out some dangerous crosses by the visitors.

Tom Ritchie tried to cheekily chip Chandler from distance after the ball ran loose, but the tall goalkeeper managed to claw the ball out of the air almost under his own crossbar. Late on Marfleet ran strongly up the middle in search of a consolation, but miss hit his shot high and wide when seemingly well placed, but the hard working Freeman had the last word, deep into added on time, heading in a Fred Ward free kick wide of a despairing dive from Hopcroft.

A first win in seven games for Slimbridge, a real confidence booster, hopefully, albeit against a struggling side who proved game for a challenge. A late run from Vale saved the Wiltshire club from relegation last season and they will need to emulate that feat again if they are to survive this time around. It is not an impossibility on this showing.

Slimbridge: R Chandler, L Sterling, J Inch (A Thomas 82), A Pritchett, J Darby, R Moore (Mike Green 75), E Ward, M Symons (J Embling 62), J Freeman, C Cole, T Radcliffe.

Tomorrow Slimbridge are away at Hungerford Town, kick off 3pm. Hungerford got off to a bad start this season and were beaten in the reverse fixture 2-0 at Wisloe Road last August. Since then the ship has been steadied and they are now comfortably placed in mid table, with a much changed side. On the present form of both sides, a difficult one to predict.

On Wednesday Slimbridge are again on the road, this time to old friends and rivals Fairford Town, kick off 7.30pm. Another mid table side who blow hot and cold in terms of results, but capable on their day of beating anyone in the Hellenic Premier. From the Slimbridge point of view, a good performance required to get anything there, with Slimbridge a shade fortunate to win the reverse fixture 1-0 at Wisloe Road last December.