Bristol Churches League

Division One

Thornbury Baptist Church FC 7

Grace United 0

AN INSPIRED Thornbury dismantled an injury-ravaged Grace United side at the Alveston Arena on Saturday and John Cordle showed his team mates what they’ve missed since Christmas when he suffered a fractured hand.

The Castle School history teacher dished out a lesson in finishing with a classy hat-trick and he was joined on the scoresheet by James Hancox, Ben Keen and Dave Tushingham.

Grace were evidently understrength, but Thornbury were composed and clinical from the off and led this game even before the 60-second mark.

Jimmy Cooke and Dave Tushingham linked up in midfield and Tushingham fed Cordle down the left-flank.

His early cross was coolly finished by James Hancox arriving from right midfield.

Hancox had the assist for the next on 21 minutes when his corner kick was powerfully met by ‘Big Ben’ Keen who headed into the net.

Thornbury were rampant by now and Keen forced a good save from the keeper and Sam Nichols fired a powerful half-volley just wide of the goal frame.

They had the third on 30 minutes when Cordle again latched onto a Hancox throw-in and when his shot was saved by the keeper, the ball cannoned against the centre-half forcing an own-goal.

It was effectively game over as a contest and the Baps went on to make it five before half time.

Keen squared to Cordle on the edge of the box and his right-foot driven finish nestled sweetly inside the side-netting for the first, and the pick of his three goals.

The fifth was also a contender for goal of the day though when Phil Loadwick and James Hancox combined before Hancox’ deep cross was met with a full-length diving header from Dave Tushingham, seconds before the half-time whistle.

The second half lacked the same intensity of the first as Thornbury experimented and made good use of an experienced subs bench.

Ash Tuck, Aidan Maddox and James Ponting all had their chances as they forged the new attack line but it was Cordle’s day and he reaped full individual reward for the Team effort.

His second was a neat finish after Cooke and Tuck had worked a nice move in from the left and he completed his hat-trick on 84 minutes when he headed home a Maddox corner at the far post.

Manager Chris Beddoes was adamant at half-time that a clean sheet was key and his back four of Phil Loadwick, Dan Blanchard, Nick Tymko and the returning Jonny Skinner delivered with Davis Newcombe rarely tested in goal, but dependable when called upon.

Thornbury have two remaining fixtures as they look to secure a third place finish.