THORNBURY Town kicked-off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat at AEK Boco at the weekend. 

The Toolstation Western League Division One side came from behind to beat Thornbury, who fielded two different elevens in each half of the contest. 

Harvey Pritchard's goal saw the visitors lead at the interval, but after a full team change, Boco hit back in the second half to score twice to claim victory on the night.

Town made a bright start at the LA Clark Pavillion and it took only four minutes for Pritchard (pictured) to latch onto a flick-on and hand Richards Joyce's side their first goal of the summer.

The Hellenic outfit dominated the opening 45 minutes and the lively Pritchard had a couple of other good opportunities - drilling an effort just past the post and also straight at Bryan after a good team move.

Much changed sides took to the field for the second half including changed shapes for both.

It didn't take long for Boco to level. Sam Thomas' excellent header from a cross was too far out of the reach of goalkeeper Mackenzie Welsh.

The hosts dominated the second half, shooting down the slope, and they wrapped up the result when Ollie Williams got on the end of another delivery into the box.

"Having had just one training session going into the game we got a lot out of it this early on in pre-season," said boss Joyce.

"We were able to get minutes early on into the lads and have an initial first look at a couple of players. I was pleased to see how sharp some players were in how they've come back in the first half. 

"Pre-season is all about fitness and learning, and even this early on after the game we've reminded ourselves of a few things which we need to look at tactically in terms of the condition of the game and what we should be doing in those situations.

"In saying that, the lads went out there with no tactical instructions or set piece information given it was all about fitness, so there's no worries on a tactical front at this point as that will come later in pre-season when we're a couple of weeks away or so from our first game of the season in August.

"Thank you to Joe Pople and Boco for hosting us. It was a good way for both clubs to start pre-season."