Gloucestershire County League

Thornbury Town 2 Frampton United 1

THORNBURY Town are tantalisingly close to going top of the Gloucestershire County League after a crucial victory over Frampton United at the Mundys Playing Field on Saturday.

Town are now just two points behind leaders Stonehouse Town, who drew on Saturday away at Henbury, and have a game in hand on the top side to boot.

Saturday’s clash between second-placed Thornbury and Frampton United, in third, was a tough clash between the two sides.

Thornbury, however, didn’t have the game all their own way and the early pressure came from the visitors with Denniss and Joe Wilton both going close with shots from just inside the penalty area.

It was really no surprise when United took the lead on 13 minutes. Town failed to close down early and whilst they blocked a couple of shots the ball fell nicely for Matt Cook to drive a low shot past Alex Lippiatt. However the visitors lead was short lived when two minutes later Scott McLeod’s cross into the box was only partially cleared by the Frampton defence and Luke Franklin’s drive from the edge of the box gave keeper Marklove no chance.

Marklove was called into action again 5 minutes later saving well from Danny Thompson’s venomous shot and then saved again from the same player palming his deflected shot away for a corner. Frampton were still a threat and Cook latched on to Nathan Sage’s headed clearance only to see his goalbound shot saved by Lippiatt’s legs. 10 minutes before the break Thompson was in action again when his header from Tom Webb’s cross was too high.

The second half saw Town control the early stages, although Frampton were always a threat on the break, with Cook again being denied by Lippiatt ten minutes in.

However Thorns scored what proved to be the winner in the 57th minute when a clearance out of defence found Tom Webb and his pass Craig Lancastle saw Thorns leading scorer weave his way past a couple of defenders as he cut into the box before unleashing a low shot that sped past keeper Marklove.

Just a minute later Frampton almost levelled when Minola Marquez Espada’s shot was neatly turned over the bar by Lippiatt.

Town had a couple more chances to extend their lead with Nathan Irwin just failing to get on the end of a dangerous Joe Guest cross and a header from Scott McLeod’s cross going over the bar, whilst Pete Fowler had a header saved by Marklove.

Frampton pressed forward in search of an equaliser but some dogged defending saw Thorns secure the win and three vital points.

This Saturday Thornbury travel to Gloucester to face Gala Wilton who picked up a useful point at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.

Thorns will be looking to keep their winning run going as they look to catch league leaders Stonehouse Town.

Uley 3 Thornbury Town Reserves 1

After a good run of performances Town’s Reserves suffered a surprise defeat at Uley on Saturday.

Despite dominating the game for long spells Town conceded goals on rare Uley breakaways, not helped by conceding two own goals. A James Davies thunderbolt from a freekick was their only consolation as they slipped to only their second league defeat of the season.

They will be looking to get back on the winning trail this Saturday when they play host to second placed Minchinhampton at the Mundy Fields, kick off 2pm.