SLIMBRIDGE chairman John Mack declared himself pleased with the attendance and the team’s performance following their prestigious friendly against Forest Green.

A crowd of 442 saw the Hellenic Premier League outfit do themselves proud against a strong Rovers side, who scored three goals in 20 minutes after half-time to pick up a 3-0 win.

It was Slimbridge’s second highest ever attendance at Wisloe Road and Mack hopes many of the fans will come back during next season.

“It was a great crowd for the start of the season and a privilege to play Forest Green,” he said.

“I was disappointed we had a goal disallowed but we didn’t disgrace ourselves and did really well.

“It was a good atmosphere and a nice, clean game of football. Hopefully the crowd enjoyed it and I wish Forest Green the best for the season.”

Slimbridge boss Leon Sterling was able to take plenty of positives from the match but was left to rue some missed chances in the first half that would have given his side a deserved lead at the break.

He said: “They had four chances and scored three, and we probably had four and scored none.

“That’s full-time training and the little bit of quality they’ve got, which was the difference between the two sides.

“In the first half we more than held our own. With any friendly you’ve got to make changes and it’s difficult for the lads coming on to get used to the pace but I’d have taken that result.”

“We gave a good account of ourselves and showed we can play football.”

Slimbridge have been handed a tough start to their league campaign as they face the four teams that finished above them last season in their first five games, starting on Saturday with a trip to Ardley United, who are likely to be fighting for the title again.

The Swans then host defending champions Wantage Town on Tuesday night (7.30pm) and welcome Binfield and Highworth Town, who finished second and fourth respectively last season, to Wisloe Road later in the month.

However, Sterling insists he is not worried by Slimbridge’s early opponents as they look to build on the fifth place finish they achieved in their first season back in the Hellenic Premier Division.

He said: “It’s not as daunting because they’re all one-off games at the start of the season.

“The first one is tricky, but for the rest of them we’re not bad at home so I’m quietly confident we’ll pick up the results we need.

“If we can finish where we finished before and maybe try and get a Vase or FA Cup run that would be a good season.”