BCFA Division One

Counterslip 0 Thornbury Baptists 1

THORNBURY rounded off a busy and triumphant week with a vital away win against Counterslip after a Jimmy Cooke header late in the first half proved enough to settle the game.

After the magnificent GFA cup win the previous Monday night, Thornbury had slumped to a jaded 2-1 defeat in the BCFA Shield semi-final on Wednesday evening, where despite a late strike from Josh Skinner and Jake Alker hitting a post with the last kick of the game, the FC Emmanuel side had proved too strong.

Back in league action on Saturday, Thornbury were under-strength. Manager Chris Beddoes was forced to name himself as goalkeeper and was called into action in the first ten minutes to make a diving save to his right to keep the score unbroken.

At the other end James Hancox was Thornbury’s main threat down the right flank and both Cooke and Steve Clare squandered James Hancox crosses before Ash Tuck could only plant a deft cross from Nic Lockett-Chapman against the post.

Finally Cooke headed one home before half-time and Thornbury had a deserved lead and plenty to fight for with the threat of relegation not yet eradicated.

Nic Tymko and Elliott Millard were immense in a second half rear-guard action.

Phil Loadwick appeared from the bench in the second half and the fresh legs of Sam Nichols returning to first team action after a few weeks on the sidelines carried the Baps to victory but they face a further four games in a fortnight to finish the season.