BOTH sides will have come away from this one feeling they ought to have had three points and even in the dying minutes of the game, both teams came close with headers from corners, Sam Nichols effort going narrowly wide for Thornbury and Dan Webster heading over at the other end for Shirehampton.

This was a far more entertaining encounter than the scoreline suggests and Thornbury might have led on 8 minutes when James Hancox crossed for Jimmy Cooke and he chested the ball back for James Ponting whose half volley was brilliantly tipped over by the Shire keeper.

Davis Newcombe has only conceded 2 goals in 4 games in the Thornbury goal and he and his defensive unit were looking assured again, Jake Alker at centre-half alongside Will Jones who had made the early morning trip back from his home in Derby to do a job for The Baps.

Shirehampton’s best first half chances fell to Ali Macfarlane who had Newcombe at full stretch with one effort then headed wide moments later when he should have scored.

The fiercely competitive battle continued in the second half with only isolated chances being squandered at either end and both goalkeepers in fine form. The best chance of the second half fell to Thornbury Skipper for the day James Hancox, who was set free by Stu Kelly and composed himself in the box before rifling his effort hard against the crossbar.

A marauding run from Phil Mansfield in the 92nd minute then saw him unleash a strike from 25 yards that flew narrowly wide and that proved to be the last kick of the game. The draw was a fair result and whilst Woodlands FC look certain to regain the title they lost to Shirehampton last season, both Thornbury and Shire remain in a race with Castle Green for second place.

Bristol Churches League Division 1

Thornbury Baptists 0-0 Shirehampton Corinthians