Thornbury Town 4 Bristol Telephones 1

A sixth successive win was the treat for Thornbury Town supporters on Halloween when they put a lacklustre first half performance behind them to secure a comfortable victory.

Bristol Telephones are always a difficult side to play against in any competition and Saturday’s league fixture was no different from usual against them.

In fact, it was the visitors who got off to a great start when Dhani Golding rounded Lippiatt in the 6th minute to give them a 1-0 lead.

Thorns pressed forward in search of a quick equaliser and Nathan Irwin almost converted Danny Thompson’s cross to the far post but Aaron Greatbanks in the visitors goal pulled off a good save.

On 15 minutes Toby Bennett’s freekick hit a defender and deflected onto the bar with the keeper beaten.

Bristol Telephones’ Golding always looked dangerous on the break, and Thorns’ skipper Pete Fowler had to make a last ditch tackle as the striker was about to shoot on 20 minutes with a chance of scoring.

A couple of minutes later, troublesome Golding got clear of the defence but this time Lippiatt saved well at the foot of his post to keep him out.

Thornbury Town were enjoying more possession as the half wore on and Luke Franklin almost grabbed the equaliser on 25 minutes when his shot hit the post with Greatbanks beaten.

The rebound came to Irwin but the keeper saved his shot at full stretch.

And ten minutes before the break, it was Thornbury who were celebrating as they levelled the score and in doing so turned the match their way.

It came when Mark Viner’s sweeping pass found Danny Thompson and the wide man’s cross was turned in at the far post by deadly striker Craig Lancastle, who added to his increasing tally of goals this season.

In the second half, Thorns looked much livelier and they took the lead on 54 minute when Danny Thompson’s shot was saved at the foot of the post but he lifted the rebound across the face of goal for Lancastle to tap home.

Telephones had a great chance to level the score on 58 minutes after Joe Guest was penalised for handball in the box but Alex Lippiatt brought off a great save to deny Dhani Golding from the spot kick.

Thorns were well on top by this stage and things got worse for the visitor’s in the 70th minute when their keeper Greatbanks was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Nathan Irwin.

In the 80th minute the Thompson-Lancastle partnership produced another goal when Thompson beat his marker before firing in a low cross for Lancastle to complete his hat-trick at the far post.

The visitors posed little threat after this and Town made it four on 80 minutes when Danny Haines corner was met with a firm header from Nathan Irwin at the far post.

Another good win for Thornbury who now face a couple of difficult away fixtures starting this Saturday at County League new boys Hardwicke, kick off 2pm.