BCFA Division One

Thornbury Baptist Church 2 Shirehampton 3

MISSED chances cost Thornbury Baptists dearly as they slipped to a third successive defeat at the hands of Shirehampton at Alveston in a game they should not have lost.

It all started so well for the hosts. On 11 minutes John Cordle threaded the ball through to Steve Nash, who in turn fed strike partner Ash Tuck, and he coolly slotted home from close range.

Shirehampton weren’t being allowed to play with Sam Nichols and the dangerous Cordle dictating in the centre of midfield.

On 18 minutes Nichols found Tuck, who laid the ball on to Steve Clare down the left flank and his cross-come-shot found the top corner.

After a brief stoppage in play The Baps lost their way and the visitors started to threaten the Thornbury goal.

Keeper Dave Lane made a great save to keep out the dangerous Ken Oni, and Oni found himself through again but his fierce shot hit the post.

Lane tipped another long range shot over the bar, but he couldn’t do anything about Shire pulling a goal back on 35 minutes.

The Baps started the second half well and Nash went close with a shot from just outside the area.

However, Shirehampton equalised on the hour.

This spurred the Baps on and Tuck got through one-on-one, but the keeper pushed the ball past the post.

Tuck and James Hancox both beat the offside trap but they couldn’t convert their chances.

With five minutes left substitute Nic Lockett-Chapman sprinted clear but with just the keeper to beat his shot was well saved.

Almost immediately the visitors broke forward. Captain Sam Alker was unable to clear his lines and the ball fell agonisingly to Oni, who bundled the ball home to the dismay of the home side.

The Baps have the chance to bounce back as they host newly-promoted Edge Church at Alveston on Saturday, 10am.