Gloucestershire County League

Thornbury Town 1 Southmead CS Athletic 1

THORNBURY Town's recent run of success came to an end on Saturday when they could only manage a draw at home to Southmead CS Athletic, who gave the home side plenty to think about on the day.

The first half proved to be mistake ridden on a heavy pitch with neither side able to carve out any clear chances.

The visitors had an opportunity to take the lead on 25 minutes when Makepeace intercepted a back pass but curled his shot wide of the far post.

Ten minutes later, Luke Franklin appeared to be brought down in the penalty box as he shaped to shoot but the referee waved play on.

Thorns were awarded a freekick just outside the area a minute before the break but Craig Lancastle couldn’t quite bend his shot enough and the ball went narrowly wide of the far post.

Thorns had a poor start to the second half and conceded two minutes in when a cross from the left into the box found Danny Tomlin to drive the ball into the far corner.

Town gradually got back into the game and a patient build up saw the ball played to Luke Franklin and his 30 yard shot struck the top of the cross bar on 55 minutes.

Five minutes later, Pete Fowler went close with a header from a corner but Southmead always looked dangerous on the break.

Darren Coghlan had a great chance to put Southmead two up in the 65th minute but shot wide when well-placed. The visitors seemed to tire as the game wore on and Thorns began to take control with Josh Pirie and Lancastle both going close.

They finally got the equaliser on 75 minutes a corner from the right was headed out by the visitors defence but the ball fell to Franklin whose shot was blocked. However, Mark Viner stabbed the ball home from the rebound. Moments later, the visiting keeper saved well from Scott Macleod but Athletic found themselves under the cosh for the last ten minutes when Ben Roe was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

With just moments remaining, Tom Webb’s shot from the left was saved at the foot of the post.

Thorns will be looking for an improved performance on Saturday when they visit Kings Stanley in the semi-final of the Les James League Cup, kick off 3pm.