FOOTBALL: Thornbury Town get started with two games

In Saturday’s fixture Cheddar, who only just missed out on promotion to the Toolstation Premier last season, ran out 3-1 winners and proved to be a good footballing side.

They dominated the game for long periods although Thorns defended well and the visitors were restricted to just a few clear cut chances.

Thorns were a much changed side from last season with a number of regulars missing through holidays and manager Andy Davies wanting to look at a number of trialists.

Whilst Cheddar deserved their win, the best goal of the game was scored by Town’s Jim Brock.

On Tuesday evening, Thorns welcomed Yate to the Mundys in what turned out to be a good workout for both sides.

Yate brought their full first team squad to the game whilst again Thorns played a number of potential new signings.

The visitors started strongly and created a couple of good chances early on.

Jack Ball got a powerful header on a deep cross from the right but couldn’t get enough direction as the ball went wide of the far post.

Yate continued to press and after 15 minutes Nathan Sage came to Thorns rescue clearing a shot off the line.

Thorns gradually weathered the storm and came more into the game with Josh Morris having his shot blocked by a last minute challenge and Scott McLeod’s goalbound effort from the edge of the box striking Craig Lancastle before being cleared.

However Yate took the lead after 30 minutes when Thorns lost possession in midfield and the ball broke for George Box to run on unchallenged and slot the ball past Alex Lippiatt.

Yate again enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half but created few clearcut chances and, with a combination of determined defending and wayward finishing, Lippiatt was rarely troubled.

Thorns had their moments with Nathan Irwin shooting narrowly over the bar from the edge of the area and Morris evaded his marker before shooting wide of the far post.