Cribbs FC Res 2

Thornbury Town 2

Cribbs FC win 4-2 on penalties

THORNBURY'S GFA Trophy hopes ended as Cribbs FC held their nerve to win on penalties, writes Mark Franklin.

Thornbury, making a number of changes, some due to injury and some to rest players, had the better of the opening exchanges and after a couple of chances from Hodgson & Bennett went narrowly wide, Franklin found the net on 25 minutes.

Fraser Moss, starting his first game for Thornbury, went close a couple of times and a Lippiatt save enabled the visitors to take a deserved lead into the break.

Cribbs started the second half strongly with the wind at their backs and despite a string of corners it was Thornbury who scored next when a Bennett cross was turned in for an own goal and a two goal lead just before the hour mark.

With fifteen to go there was little sign of the drama that was to unfold but Pete Fowler picked up a second soft yellow and Thornbury were down to ten men.

Cribbs, who looked dangerous from their in-swinging corners found the net with ten to go and the pressure was on. Another well delivered corner was headed in during the second minute of stoppage time and the game went straight to penalties with Cribbs running out winners 4-2

So, as the old saying goes, Thornbury can now concentrate on the league. 16 games to go in their push to gain promotion to the Hellenic Premier.