Woodlands FC 3

Thornbury Baptist Church 0

BCAFL Division 1

Thornbury Baptist Church's title hopes all but ended after heavy defeat against defending Champions Woodlands.

Having finished just two points behind the league Champions Woodlands last season, Thornbury were confident of their chances going into the game.

It was a ferociously contested game between two sides who know each other well and both look to play decent football, made much easier by the 3G astro-turf pitch in Knowle which serves as the base for the hosts.

The first half was a tight affair.

Woodlands had the pick of the chances but shot wide.

At the other end James Hancox and John Cordle both offered up half chances for Jimmy Cooke but he could only force a corner with a deflected shot from the best of those efforts.

Hancox then fired a right-foot free-kick just over the bar and Cordle also forced Woodlands long-serving keeper Steve Ballard into a good save just before half time. 0-0 at the break was a fair reflection on balance though and

Thornbury re-organised at half time to allow playmaker Stu Kelly to return to the midfield as a substitute after a long absence with a groin injury.

Woodlands exerted far more dominance in the second half as they had the lion’s share of possession but a bursting midfield run from Sam Nichols and a shot narrowly wide of the far post nearly saw Thornbury take a surprise lead.

The game turned on 70 minutes when The Baptist's conceded possession down the right flank and Woodlands broke with clinical effect, ultimately squaring the ball for a simple tap in at the far post.

They added the second on 82 minutes with a cool strike from just inside the box and completed a fine performance with a third just seconds before the final whistle.

It leaves Woodlands with the only unbeaten record in the league.

Thornbury will host the B side on Saturday.