Gloucestershire County League

Southmead CS Athletic 2 Thornbury Town 3

TEENAGER Asher Budd made an instant impact on his first team, debut scoring Thornbury’s vital second goal in their win over Southmead on Saturday.

Town started brightly and had their hosts on the back foot in the opening quarter of an hour.

Rob Wilks almost gave Thorns the perfect start, his header from Craig Lancastle’s cross hitting the post.

Moments later Lancastle had a shot saved at the second attempt by Nick Bowering.

Danny Thompson and Wilks also had efforts on goal before Thornbury took the lead just after the half-hour mark.

Toby Bennett went on a jinking run through the heart of the home defence before slotting the ball past Bowering.

Budd, 17, was introduced shortly after, replacing the injured Josh Pirie.

Following a Southmead corner, Thorns broke quickly and Budd’s pass found Luke Franklin, whose strong run and shot went just too high.

Southmead introduced Hallen striker Luke Mills at the start of the second half and they pressed forward in search of an early equaliser but Town’s re-shaped defence coped well and in the 53rd minute they extended their lead.

Following a surging run down the right, Scott McLeod played the ball into Budd’s path and the youngster’s curling shot from the edge of the penalty area gave the keeper no chance.

Five minutes later Thorns hit the woodwork again when Franklin’s free kick cannoned off the bar with Bowering beaten.

However, with 20 minutes remaining Wilks was brought down by Gary Booth on the edge of the area.

Toby Bennett’s flighted free kick was spilled by the keeper and skipper Pete Fowler was on hand to force the ball home from close range.

The hosts responded quickly, forcing a corner from which Booth’s header hit the bar and John Henson headed home the rebound.

Southmead continued to press but Thorns' defence held firm and Budd almost added another when Lancastle set him one-on-one with the keeper, but the youngster steered his shot wide of the empty net.

In the dying moments of the game Southmead pulled another goal back that they scarcely deserved when Mills evaded a number of challenges to slot the ball past Alex Lippiatt.

This was a good win for Town against an improving Southmead side and they will be hoping to secure another win this Saturday when they visit Scott Park to face Patchway Town, 2pm.