Thornbury Town U18 3 Mangotsfield United U18 1

THORNBURY Town extended their unbeaten run to four matches as the claimed the scalp of previously unbeaten Mangotsfield Utd in a league fixture at the Mundy Playing Fields

On a grey still autumn day Thornbury hosted a strong Mangotsfield team who were unbeaten in the league this season and it was the visitors who dominated from the start of the match as Thornbury were penned back and were forced defend for the early part of the match.

Mangotsfield forced several early corners and from one of the corners the ball was whipped in and allowed to travel to the back post unchallenged where Jake Oliver reacted quickest to nod the ball home.

Mangotsfield continued to cause the home team problems and only some stubborn defending by the host kept the scoreline at 1-0.

Mangotsfield were awarded a penalty kick after a clumsy challenge by Aidan Hannyngton saw the visiting player go to ground.

The resulting spot kick however was poorly taken as the ball sailed high and wide of the goal. Slowly Thornbury started to get a foothold in the game and Dan O’connor on the left wing was starting to get into some good positions and cause the visitors problems.

Thornbury were awarded a free kick on the left after a foul on O'Connor the resulting kick was floated into the box and was met by Charlie Exell who could only find the side netting.

The home team made two changes at halftime and this seemed to give the home team more self belief as they were quicker to the ball and were denying Mangotsfield time to play their passing game.

It was the home team who were now creating the chances and the visitors were getting frustrated as they started to argue amongst themselves. Their mood was not helped as Thornbury drew level when Dan O’connor picked up the ball on the left and cut inside and from 25 yards out lobbed the keeper who was off his line.

The game turned a little edgy with both teams picking up yellow cards but it was Thornbury who stayed composed.

Thornbury took the lead when they were awarded another free kick out on the left wing this time captain Sam Downes launched the ball into the visitors penalty box where the goalkeeper again misjudged the flight of the ball and was put off by the advancing Thornbury players the ball bounced once into the empty net.

Mangotsfield reacted strongly and put the home team under pressure and forced several corner kick but again a combination of poor finishing and a never say die attitude by the home defence kept them out, on three occasions the ball was cleared of the line.

Thornbury then extended their lead further when another ball into the box was met by Jake Budd who got to the ball just before the keeper to nod the ball home.

Mangotsfield pushed to try and get back the game but Thornbury’s hard work ethic and composure saw them hold on for a fantastic when and three points.