Gloucestershire County League

Thornbury Town 4 Hanham Athletic 0

THORNBURY Town eased their relegation fears with an emphatic home win against Hanham Athletic.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but Thorns gradually put a stranglehold on the game with Mark Viner and Danny Haines dominating in the middle of the park.

They created a number of good chances in the opening half but efforts from the Thompson brothers – Steve and Danny – and Josh Pirie had not seriously tested the visitors' keeper.

However, Thornbury got the opening goal they deserved in the 40th minute when Danny Thompson’s cross from the left found its way through to Viner in the six-yard box and although the visitors keeper saved at close range, Pirie was on hand to turn the rebound into the net.

A couple of minutes later Hanham had their first shot on goal, Alex Lippiatt tipping James Shipman’s goalbound shot over the bar.

Thorns made a great start to the second half, scoring twice in the space of 90 seconds to virtually kill the game.

In the 52nd minute Viner won a header in midfield, which Josh Pirie latched on to, flicking the ball past the defender with his head before steaming away to drive the ball home.

Moments later Dan Thompson’s cross found Pirie, who was tackled on the edge of the box, but the ball ran across to Nathan Irwin to drive a low shot past the keeper from 12 yards.

Town almost extended their lead on the hour mark when Dan Thompson and Pirie again linked up to set Luke Franklin up but his close range shot hit the post.

Thompson was then denied a goal of his own by a great save from the keeper diving full length to push the ball round for a corner.

Unfortunately Pirie had to leave the field with an injury but it did not deter the home side and they scored a fourth goal on 74 minutes from a low cross into the box by Steve Thompson for Franklin to drive home.

Thorns continued to press forward, creating a number of other chances, but could not find the net again.

This was an impressive performance where they were dominant throughout with their defence and keeper rarely troubled, the final scoreline reflecting their dominance.

Thorns visit Patchway on Wednesday and will be looking for another good performance on Saturday when Southmead are the visitors to the Mundys, 3pm.