Gloucestershire County League

AEK Boco 3 Thornbury Town 1

A DEPLETED Thornbury side could count themselves a little unlucky not to come away from Greenbank Road on Saturday with a share of the points.

The re-shaped side took a little while to settle but the balance was upset further after 10 minutes when full back Joe Guest suffered a serious ankle injury.

However, Thorns almost took the lead after 17 minutes, Josh Pirie getting on the end of Luke Franklin’s cross but driving his shot just over the bar with the keeper beaten.

Pirie repeated the act again 20 minutes later, this time meeting a Tom Webb cross.

Moments later AEK came close, Alex Lippiatt saving well at the foot of a post.

The home side continued to press forward and hit the post five minutes before the break.

The opening goal for AEK came in added time at the end of the first 45 minutes from the penalty spot, scored by Charlie Stevens after a foul by Lippiatt.

On the hour mark the home side were awarded another penalty, but this time Lippiatt pulled off a good save to deny Stevens.

This let-off seemed to spur Thorns into action and the home keeper saved from Craig Lancastle, whilst Rob Wilks' shot from 25 yards struck the post with the keeper beaten.

With 20 minutes remaining a mistake at the back saw AEK extend their lead through James Laver but Thornbury pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later, Toby Bennett netting direct from a free kick.

After this Thorns pressed a rattled home defence as Nathan Sage had a header saved by the keeper and Toby Bennett drove narrowly wide.

As Town pressed forward more they left themselves exposed to the counter attack and were made to pay when Laver netted his second to seal the points in the 86th minute.

Town have an early opportunity for revenge when they entertain AEK Boco in the County Cup on Saturday at the Mundys, 2pm.