Football: Thornbury Town create history by winning the County League (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire County League: Thornbury Town 2 Taverners 0

9:17am Thursday 20th May 2010 in Sport

Thornbury Town clinched the Gloucestershire County League title for the first time in their history with a hard fought victory against Taverners.

In front of a crowd of more than 250 at the Mundy Fields on Tuesday evening, nothing but a win would do for Dave Lippiatt’s side.

Steve Alexander held off a defender as he turned in the penalty area but his shot was saved low down by the keeper. Alex Lippiatt in the Town goal had to be alert in the tenth minute when he tipped a long range free kick over the bar.

Midway through the half Town came close to opening the scoring when Artem Azytskyi flicked the ball back into the path of Steve Thompson, whose goalbound shot was well saved by the keeper.

Moments later Thorns had the ball in the net but Steve Alexander’s effort was ruled out following a narrow offside decision.

Two minutes before the break Steve Thompson again went close after good build-up play but the Taverners keeper did enough to keep the ball out of the net.

The opening minutes of the second half saw Town go close when firstly Steve Alexander drove narrowly wide following a good through ball from James DeRosa and then the big striker turned his marker and shot across the face of the goal.

Thorns gradually stepped up the pressure and Steve Thompson's long-range effort was tipped over. From the corner, Thompson chipped into the six -yard box where Pete Fowler's firm header went just wide.

Five minutes later, Town came even closer when James DeRosa picked up a through ball from Azytskyi, out-paced his defender and chipped the keeper, only to see the ball rebound back off the bar. With less than 20 minutes left on the clock, Thorns finally scored. Steve Thompson knocked the ball into the crowded penalty area to Sam Lippiatt, who turned and smashed the ball home from ten yards. Thornbury secured the title with ten minutes left when a move down the right saw Adam Harley play the ball into the path Azytskyi, who took the ball on a couple of paces before driving home from outside the box. After that it was simply a case of playing out time before the celebrations could begin with the league trophy presented to skipper Ricki Lippiatt.

Thornbury have not applied for promotion and will remain in the County League next season.