In-form Slimbridge are in confident mood as they prepare to travel to Portishead Town for an FA Cup preliminary round tie on Saturday.

Their 2-0 midweek win at home to Cinderford Town was their third in four Hellenic League Premier Division games – they drew the other 1-1 at Fairford Town – and they are in second place on goal difference behind Corsham Town.

The club brought in Mike Palmer over the summer to work alongside Tim Deakin as joint manager, and chairman Barry Gay said: “We’re in a good place at the moment, it’s been a big turnaround from last season.”

It certainly has because Slimbridge finished 16^th in the division in 2024/25, winning just 11 of their 38 league games.

“We’ve recruited well, we’ve brought in some good players,” continued Gay. “There’s a real good buzz about the place.”

The new signings have hit the ground running and Gay added: “We’ve brought in Kian King and Stephen Sarkodie from Hartpury University, they won the league last season.

“Kian plays in centre midfield and was their captain and Stephen has been excellent for us in goal.

“We’ve also brought Joe Stokes back to the club, he’s been a revelation in midfield.”

Stokes scored both goals after going on as a substitute in the 2-1 home win over Hallen on Saturday.

Another new signing, Casey Collins, has also been hitting the target. His goal against Cinderford was his fourth of the campaign and Gay said: “He’s a young lad, he’s a very good player.

“He comes down from Kidderminster, he’s best friends with Kian King.”

Jack W Smith is another who has impressed this season after returning to the club from Roman Glass.

“He’s one of our own,” said Gay. “He can play in midfield, number 10 or anywhere up front, he’s excellent.”

Slimbridge booked their place in the preliminary round with a 1-0 extra preliminary round win at Corsham and Gay said: “That was a good result.”

But Gay is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his club on Saturday against opponents who opened their Southern League Division One South campaign with a 6-0 win at home to Didcot Town at the weekend.

“It’s a massive game for us, they are a very good side,” said Gay. “But the boys are buzzing and we will give it a real go, it’s a free hit for us.”

The trip to Portishead is one of nine games for Slimbridge in August - they opened their Hellenic League campaign with a 3-2 win at home to Cirencester Town on Tuesday 29^th July – and Gay said: “It’s too many games for this time of year, it’s ridiculous. The pitches are hard and there’s no time for players to recover from any knocks.”