NEWENT Town continued their pre-season campaign with a well-earned 1–1 draw against Western League side Slimbridge on Saturday afternoon, producing another promising performance in front of a healthy crowd at Wildsmith Meadow.

In sweltering heat and against strong opposition, the Daffs impressed for long spells and gave further signs that the pieces are starting to come together under joint managers Luke Handley and Zaq Hussain.

Speaking ahead of the game, the duo were upbeat about the direction the squad is heading in: “There’s a real buzz around the club at the moment,” they said: “Recruitment has gone well and we are bit by bit piecing things together. All the lads are buying in to how we want to play as a team and what we expect from them as individuals.”

That early-season optimism translated to a fast start on the pitch, with Newent asserting themselves from the off and dictating possession during the opening exchanges.

Their positive approach was rewarded on 14 minutes when a perfectly delivered cross into the area was met by Wagstaff, who rose above the defence to nod the ball into the bottom corner for a deserved lead.

Moments later, the Daffs thought they had doubled their advantage after another well-worked move ended with the ball in the back of the net, but the referee ruled it out for handball.

Despite the soaring temperatures and a number of new faces in the starting XI, including several trialists, Newent continued to look the more composed of the two sides throughout the first half. Hart, wearing the captain’s armband, played a central role in midfield, supported well by Martin and Peeters-Vanstone, while Halsall marshalled the backline confidently.

A drinks break midway through the half allowed both sides a moment to regroup, but it was Newent who continued to control the tempo, creating the better chances and looking well-drilled despite the summer shake-up.

Slimbridge returned for the second half with renewed energy and began to enjoy more territory, forcing a series of chances around the hour mark. However, their efforts were denied by a superb save from trialist goalkeeper Joyce, who got down low to preserve the home side’s lead.

The Daffs made a string of changes as the game wore on, introducing Taylor for Hart and later Craddock for Halsall, while giving minutes to other trialists as the coaching team looked to assess their options.

With 15 minutes to play, Slimbridge found their equaliser. A sharp move down the right opened up space for James Tainton, who found himself free in the area and calmly slotted home past the advancing keeper.

Both teams pushed for a late winner, but the heat began to take its toll and the pace slowed, with the referee blowing up for full time after an evenly matched contest.

While they couldn’t quite hold on for victory, Newent’s display was another positive step in what has been a productive pre-season so far.

There was plenty to like, from the energy and pressing off the ball to the movement and link-up play in the final third.

Joint bosses Handley and Hussain will be hoping to build further on this momentum as their preparations continue in the weeks ahead, with eyes firmly on a strong start to the upcoming campaign.