Bristol Churches FA Division One

Thornbury Baptist Church 5 Clevedon 1

THORNBURY Baptists scored a crucial victory after an inconsistent start to the season and, despite a wobble either side of half-time, they ran out comfortable winners and midfield man Jimmy Cooke helped himself to another hat-trick.

Thornbury started very brightly and looked refreshed at the back with Doug Nash returning to the side at left-back and Jake Alker at centre-back.

Thornbury had pace in all departments and began to put their guests under serious pressure.

It was the ever-dangerous James Hancox throw-ins that first saw the deadlock broken on 19 minutes and then the Thornbury lead doubled on 24 minutes.

Cooke was the grateful recipient on both occasions as he leapt highest to head home the long throws.

The first snuck inside the near post and the second looping the keeper to the far corner.

An errant and slightly high-tackle from John Cordle saw a Clevedon man stretchered off, but Cordle was otherwise dominant in midfield and was denied a wonderful goal as he fired over the bar after beating four players in a mazy solo run.

Aidan Maddox, Phil Loadwick and Cooke again all missed golden opportunities and Clevedon made them pay just before the break when their midfield man bullied his way through two men and clipped the ball past Will Jones in goal.

Manager Chris Beddoes introduced Steve Cordle for his club debut and after a nervous restart, Thornbury resumed their onslaught of the Clevedon goal.

A James Ponting cross on 50 minutes was softly cleared only as far as Phil Loadwick and he made no mistake firing powerfully into the far corner.

Barely a minute later, the Cordle brothers combined as Steve Cordle beat the offside trap and his shot was saved by the keeper but fell straight to brother John arriving from midfield.

The last thirty minutes was relentless Thornbury pressure and some disappointing finishing in front of goal before a neat move saw Loadwick find Cooke and he shot low across goal for his hat-trick.

This was an invaluable three points as the Baps now face back-to-back cup fixtures over the coming fortnight.