GFA Challenge Trophy Round Two

Thornbury Town 1 AEK Boco 1

(AEK Boco won 5-4 on penalties)

THORNBURY Town’s interest in this season’s County Cup ended following a game of 12 penalties.

With a number of changes in the side Thorns took a little while to settle and AEK edged the opening exchanges.

After 20 minutes Scott Macleod’s long range shot took a deflection off a defender forcing the visiting keeper to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

Five minutes later Craig Lancastle was denied by a fine save by the keeper, his shot being pushed on to a post and out for a corner.

Ten minutes before the break Thorns took the lead they deserved following a good move involving Luke Franklin and Macleod beforeJosh Pirie was brought down in the box. Lancastle fired the resultant penalty into the corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Town almost had the perfect start to the second half when Rob Wilks' shot was tipped round the post.

Five minutes later Danny Thompson’s cross was parried by the keeper but the ball fell kindly for Nathan Irwin, whose shot was deflected wide.

However, AEK took control of the game for the last 30 minutes, but despite all their possession some desperate defending kept them at bay.

Just when it looked as though Town were going to hang on to their narrow advantage, AEK were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining when a cross into the box hit Tom Webb on the arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Charlie Stevens fired the spot kick low and hard to level send the game into a penalty shootout, with AEK Boco progressing to the next round after coming out on top 5–4.

This Saturday Thornbury are back in County League action when near neighbours Berkeley Town are the visitors to the Mundy Fields, 3pm.