Gloucestershire County League

Thornbury Town 3-1 Southmead CS Athletic 

THORNBURY Town extended their lead at the top of the Marcliff Gloucester County League to nine points following a hard fought 3-1 win against Southmead CS Athletic.

After two big wins in recent weeks the visitors not surprisingly looked to stifle Town’s free scoring strikers.

Thorns took a while to settle and there were few chances created at either end but eventually the hosts went ahead on 26 minutes from the penalty spot.

Toby Bennett was brought down in the penalty area and leading scorer Craig Lancastle took the resultant spot kick to put Town 1-0 up.

Southmead came out searching for an equaliser and got themselves back in the game on 35 minutes when Lucas Spindola lunged at a low cross into the box and touched the ball home past Tom Sheppard.

The second half saw Thorns look more lively, retaining possession better and always looking the more likely to score.

They regained the lead in the 51st minute when Toby Bennett made a good run into the area and finding himself in acres of space, took the ball round the keeper before slotting the ball into the net.

With just a slender lead, the visitors looked capable of getting themselves back in the game but a third goal on 72 minutes secured the points for Town.

Again Craig Lancastle was the scorer as he weaved his way past two defenders before steering the ball past the keeper and into the net.

This Saturday Thorns face what looks a difficult task when they travel to the Forest of Dean to play County League new boys Ruardean Hill Rangers who have made an impressive start to their County League season, kick off 2:00pm.