Thornbury Town were victorious in their first competitive fixture for nine months, beating Tuffley Rovers 2-1 at the Mundy Playing Fields on Tuesday evening.

The club are now in the Hellenic League Premier Division, earning promotion based on their impressive results from the last two truncated seasons.

Harry Brock failed a pre-match fitness test so Thornbury went with a 4-4-2 formation and, as Pete Fowler has decided to hang up his boots, Craig Lancastle took the captain’s armband.

Tuffley started the quicker with Lucas Price causing problems, and the first fifteen minutes saw them create numerous chances - including one that hit the woodwork.

Thornbury then got the ball down and started to play but shots from Guest, Bennett and Farthing failed to trouble the keeper. On the half hour Franklin found some space but his well struck shot could only find the side netting.

The game got scrappy at this point and the referee booked two players from each side for various infringements

Just before half-time the physio was on for a lengthy spell to treat Kurtis Parkin’s back. He was unable to continue and with no keeper on the bench Franklin took the gloves with Rhys Hodgson replacing him in midfield.

The first part of the half was relatively quiet but when Frazer Moss replaced the injured Elliot Gardner (calf) midway through the half he scored with his first touch on 68 minutes when he got on the end of a string of passes across the Tuffley box.

Five minutes later some superb trickery from Marcus Wormwell left two defenders in his wake and his cross found its way to Hodgson who finished clinically to double the lead.

A slight lack of game management by the home side when Farthing went down injured and Tuffley pulled a goal back through Lawrence who found the net at the second attempt.

Dan Parry replaced Farthing and Thornbury were able to deal with some late Tuffley pressure to take all the points

Despite the goal scorer’s getting the plaudits a mention must go to the back four of Guest, Sage, Rawnsley & Webb who all had excellent games.

Thornbury are in FA Cup action against Royal Wootton Bassett Town at home this Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm.