Slimbridge 0 Thame United 1
Slimbridge had more than enough chances to get something from this game, but slipped to their third consecutive home defeat on the bounce courtesy of a 42nd minute goal from Ellis Hercules.
Marc Roberts missed a second half penalty for Slimbridge, who drop to fifth place in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League after a disappointing afternoon.
Slimbridge had the better of the early exchanges, with Jamie Martin's effort being deflected over after he made room for a shot on six minutes, and Tom Speers shooting too high three minutes later, but those were the only real goal opportunities on the first 15 minutes.
Dominique Njoya and Dan Holloway were at the heart of most of the Swans' early moves down the left flank, with Holloway combining well with Martin, but the crosses were too close to Thame Keeper Lee Farrow and nothing came of their good work.
Thame's first decent effort came on 23 minutes when the ball fell to Jake Bell in the Slimbridge box, but he skied his shot and didn't trouble Swans goalkeeper Dave Evans. At the other end, Jack Twyman's superb volley clipped the top of the Thame bar and went over, leaving the scores still level.
Martin's free-kick on 25 minutes caused all sorts of problems in the Thame box, and Farrow had to scramble the ball away as Slimbridge began to threaten. Holloway blasted the ball high and wide after good work by Martin as half time neared, before Slimbridge conceded a sucker punch of a goal.
Matt Willett drifted a cross over and found Ellis Hercules, who was left in acres of space to drill the ball past Evans and put Thame ahead at the half.
Thames started the second half well, and their tactic of playing long balls over the heads of the Slimbridge back four was proving very effective as they started to create further opportunities.
In the opening minute, Martin and Hercules were involved in a tussle which resulted in a Slimbridge free kick, but Holloway was unable to capitalise and his effort was cleared. On the hour mark, more good work by Martin saw Roberts closing in on goal, but the ball was shepherded back to Farrow and the chance was lost.
On 65 minutes, Slimbridge were awarded a penalty by Referee Sian Piret, when Roberts was felled in the Thame Box. Roberts sent Farrow the wrong was with his spot kick, only to see the ball cannon off the post and back out into play.
Thame hit back, and Connor Hayes brought a good save from Evans on 68 minutes, before Ben Gray was just unable to reach Bell's cross with the goal gaping in front of him. Shortly afterwards, Gray was stretched off with what looked like a nasty knee injury after a tackle saw him fall awkwardly.
As the game entered the last ten minutes, Roberts was twice denied by two great saves from Farrow, the first from a diving header, before the Keeper pushed out a shot to keep the visitors ahead.
Twyman had the next opportunity on 82 minutes, after Njoya and Roberts had combined well, but he snatched at his shot and the ball was high and wide.
The last ten minutes saw Thame working the corners to play out time, but Matt Johnson still had time to test Evans with a shot a couple of minutes from the end.
The Swans travel to Holyport on Thursday for a League encounter (7.45pm), but do not have a game next Saturday. The following Tuesday, April 9, Thame are back at Wisloe Road for a Supplementary Cup quarter-final tie.
Slimbridge: Evans, Robinson, Njoya, Sterling, Speers, Cole, Twyman, Ward (Parrott 75), Roberts, Martin (Harding 61), Holloway (Higgs 55).
Star Man: Jack Twyman
