BCFA Cup Semi-Final

Woodlands FC 1 Thornbury Baptist Church FC 0

THORNBURY Baptists suffered their second cup semi-final defeat of the season, but will have to concede that they were again beaten by the better side, despite having their fair share of chances to equalise in this one.

Thornbury had the better start on a challenging surface after several days of heavy rainfall had taken its toll on the surface at Hallen.

Jimmy Cooke fed James Ponting down the left flank and when his cross wasn’t dealt with Cooke squared for James Hancox who turned and fired just wide on his left-foot.

It was a short-lived threat in the first half as Woodlands began to assert themselves and Thornbury packed the midfield and sat back to soak up the host’s possession.

Thornbury were dealing well with the pressure until an ill-judged back-pass from Phil Loadwick set Ieuen Pearse through and Thornbury keeper Davis Newcombe could only up-end him for a simple penalty decision for the referee.

Newcombe was un-phased by the incident and threw himself to his left to pull off a magnificent save from the spot and give a real boost to the visitors.

Thornbury rallied and forced a corner at the other end on 26 minutes, only for this rare attack to prove to be their undoing. Woodlands cleared and broke with ruthless precision, exchanging three swift passes before Andy Baynton squared for his left-winger who fired into the top left corner for what was ultimately to be an unassailable lead.

From another Thornbury corner, skipper Nick Tymko headed against the bar just before the break and in the absence of Manager Chris Beddoes, it was Tymko’s decision to change the formation and personnel at half-time.

Thornbury stuck an extra man up top and put up a really strong performance in the second half with the Skipper Tymko and his centre-back partner Sam Nichols particularly impressive.

The most extraordinary moment of the game came on 72 minutes though when Tymko piled into a trademark sliding tackle but was adjudged to have committed a foul just inside the box.

Thornbury players were left incredulous at the decision and there then began a peculiar inquest by Woodlands players, also seemingly surprised by the decision.

Now the Bristol Churches League is recognised and respected for a commitment to sportsmanship but what happened next far exceeded the expected code of conduct.

Woodlands centre-forward Andy Baynton, on consultation with team mates, rolled the penalty wide after unanimous agreement that the award by the referee was a clear error of judgement.

It was an incredible gesture of sportsmanship in a semi-final contest so delicately poised.

Woodlands had further chances to bury the game but Davis Newcombe was in inspired form in goal for the Baps and Thornbury could have nicked the equaliser when firstly Ben Keen had two efforts charged down,

Jimmy Cooke squandered a gift of a chance and then he again fired narrowly over with the last kick of the game.

Woodlands will face One Church in the final and they are still very much in the hunt for a treble, topping the league and set to compete in another final for the GFA Minor Cup that was won by Thornbury last season.

The same sides meet again in the league on Saturday.