Football: Kabba shines for Almondsbury Town (From Gazette Series)

FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Division: Bicester Town 0 Almondsbury Town 5

10:37am Thursday 22nd October 2009 in Thornbury Sport By Rob Iles

RICHARD THOMPSON has praised his Almondsbury Town squad for the excellent attitude they have shown since he became boss.

The Almonds recorded their seventh win in eight games under Thompson on Saturday with Sahr Kabba notching a hat-trick against Bicester, and the former Yate manager is delighted with the way the squad has warmed to him.

Pacy striker Kabba is certainly flourishing with Thompson at the helm after finding starts hard to come by under previous boss Paul Weeks and has turned down the opportunity to join Southern League side Bridgwater to stay at Oaklands Park.

“The squad is looking strong and I’m pleased with everyone,” said Thompson.

“The new lads have been good, the attitude of the lads already there has been excellent, they’ve listened to what I’ve said and for one or two it’s certainly paying off.

“Kabba is an example of what I’m talking about. I’ve spoken to him a few times and asked what I want from him.

“His game needed tweaking a bit but we know he had ability. Everyone says he’s an impact player from the bench but I don’t see why he can’t do it from the start.

“It’s nice to hear he wants to stay and be part of what we want to achieve here.”

Kabba gave Almondsbury a seventh minute lead and created the second for Ali Gibb.

Matt Williams scored the third after combining well with Kabba, who then scored either side of half-time to complete a comfortable win.

Thompson said: “Two years ago Almondsbury went to Abingdon, who were bottom, needing a point to win the league on the last game of the season and lost 1-0 so it’s important to go to these places and win.”

Unbeaten Almondsbury are now third, six points behind leaders Reading Town with two games in hand with a tricky trip to Flackwell Heath ahead on Saturday.

“It’s very difficult playing catch up, but all you can do is try and win your games,” said Thompson.

“Flackwell Heath will be difficult, they’re taking points of all the top sides, and we’ve got an awful lot of tricky games coming up, but if we’re going to have a chance then we’ve got to win those games.”

Marcus Mapstone and Matt Williams got on the scoresheet as Almondsbury beat Highworth Town 2-1 last week.