Gloucestershire County League

Kingswood 0

Thornbury Town 3

Gloucestershire County League

After a two week lay off Thornbury Town made the perfect start to the New Year with a good win at near neighbours Kingswood.

Thorns started brightly and went in search of an early goal and Brandon Benjamin went close from Toby Bennett’s cross in the second minute.

However just five minutes later they took the lead when Craig Lancastle latched on to a good through ball and whilst his first shot was blocked his second attempt squeezed in past keeper Fox at the near post.

Whilst Town had the majority of the early play Kingswood had the moments with Tom Sheppard tipping Eldridge’s long range effort over the bar.

Thorns went two up in the 15th minute with a great move involving Bennett and Lancastle who squared the ball back for Benjamin to slot home.

At this stage it was all Thornbury and Fox came to the rescue saving bravely at Lancastle’s feet and then pulling off another double save from the striker and Nathan Irwin.

The hosts had the ball in the net on the half hour mark but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Tom Webb, whilst shortly after Fox was in action again pulling off a great save to deny Brandon Benjamin.

Kingswood almost had the perfect start to the second half when Read’s header was cleared off the line by Pete Fowler.

This seemed to encourage the home side who started to close down much quicker denying Thorns time and space.

Whilst they enjoyed more possession it was Thornbury who looked the more dangerous and Fox again had to be at his best to save from Marcus Wormwell and Toby Bennett when both were through on goal.

However Thorns wrapped up the win three minutes from time when Tom Webb’s long ball over the home defence found Craig Lancastle who coolly lobbed the ball over Fox to make it 3-0.

The striker almost claimed his hat trick in stoppage time when his headed goal from Bennett’s free kick was ruled out for offside.

Whilst Town maintain their place at the top of the table, they know they will need to play better than this when they entertain Stonehouse Town this Saturday, kick off 2:00 pm at the Mundy Fields.

All pictures by Steve Richards.