Falmouth Town 0; Slimbridge 1
Jack Smith 84’
Att: 370

Despite having the best of the first half, Falmouth Town were on the end of a 1-0 home defeat against newly-promoted Slimbridge, who earned their first points of the season after a spirited 2nd half performance in front of a much-improved attendance of 370 at Bickland Park.
Falmouth Town manager John Fabby was unavailable, so the team was managed on the day by ex-Celtic and Republic of Ireland international Chris Morris. Falmouth were able to name in the squad their new signing, Madeiran-born Paolo Souza, who has been plying his trade for Mousehole since the start of their rise through the leagues. With Harrison Jewell unavailable, Falmouth started Tom Annear at centre-back.
In what was a quite even game throughout, chances were at a premium and Falmouth had to wait 12 minutes before their first assault on the Slimbridge goal, Striker Liam Prynn being played through, but his shot was foiled by young Slimbridge keeper Callum Godfrey, who came out quickly and charged down Prynn before he could craft a finish.
Falmouth were playing some lovely possession football, but the final pass was ultimately lacking a little quality and they were also guilty of shooting from narrow angles on a couple of occasions when they had in fact good numbers in the box awaiting the cross. Slimbridge’s young team were still carrying a threat on the break though with their outstanding captain Jack Smith looking the pick of the bunch.

On 33 minutes, Prynn was played through again, this time by Luke Barner, but again Godfrey rushed out to save with his feet to keep the game goal-less.
Falmouth had their strongest period of the game in the last 15 minutes of the first half, and on 40 minutes, a jinking run from Luke Barner ended with him being brought down just outside of the area. Barner and Annear stood over the free-kick, but it was Annear who struck a powerful shot which hit the bar with the keeper well-beaten, and Slimbridge survived the remainder of the half with their goal intact.
Unfortunately, Falmouth were forced to change both centre-backs at half-time and with no direct replacements on the bench a major reshuffle was required. Jack Webber dropped back from centre-midfield to cover one spot, and went on to perform the job admirably, and Malachy Davy stepped inside from left-back to cover the other position. Sousa made his debut, coming on at left back and Andy Elcock dropped into centre-midfield.
Soon after the restart Oscar Massey, who was kept relatively quiet by the pacy Slimbridge defence all game, was played through, but Godfrey again was equal to his effort on goal making another good save.
As the half wore on, Falmouth were finding it hard to replicate their stronger first half performance, the enforced half-time changes understandably seemed to have had a negative effect on their ability to take charge of the game, and instead Slimbridge started to get on top.
It was no surprise when in the 39th minute of the half, Slimbridge opened the scoring. A ball over the top found man of the match Jack Smith who just managed to get a toe to it, forcing the ball over the head of Falmouth keeper Morgan Jones. Jones scrambled back in an attempt to bat the ball away from the goal but it bounced agonisingly over the line, to much celebration from the Slimbridge players and officials on the sidelines.
Maybe a draw would have been a fairer result but it was not to be after a disappointing second half from the home side, and instead Slimbridge claimed their first league points of the season. Falmouth’s failure to take their chances earlier in the game ultimately being the difference between the two sides.
Falmouth now need to pick themselves up quickly for a tough Tuesday night trip to Portland where they will be hoping to get something to keep them in the hunt for the play-off places, having dropped to 12th place in the league.

Falmouth Town: Morgan Jones, Malachy Davy, Max Cook, Tom Annear, Bradley Leivers, Jack Webber, Jared Sims, Olly Evans, Liam Prynn, Luke Barner, Oscar Massey. Subs: Jack Symons, Ned Symons, Andy Elcock, Aaron Ibbotsen, Paolo Sousa.

Slimbridge: Callum Godfrey, Jack Holmes, Cahelie Matthews, Theo Lynden, Like Bence, Haydn Evans, Casty Collins, Joseph Stokes, Oliver Sully, Jack Smith, Theodore Brown. Subs: Sam Hart, Jacob Rodgers, Ellis Rudman, Alex Bell.
Ref: Mark King