Hellenic League Division One West

Tuesday, September 22

Malmesbury Victoria 1

Thornbury Town 1

A couple of changes due to holiday but it gave a few a chance to gain some much needed minutes.

Thornbury started strongly and five minutes in James DeRosa shot over and although Malmesbury had a couple of long range efforts dealt with easily by Parkin it was Ant Brown in the home goal who had to pull off the save of the night when a Lancastle free-kick looked destined for the top corner.

Webb also had a good effort before, on 25 minutes, Wormwell scored a curling, dipping screamer from 25 yards to put Thornbury ahead.

He nearly doubled the lead shortly after from a quickly taken kick by Viner.

One-nil to the visitors at the break and well worth their lead

Due to injury Farthing was replaced at half-time by Nathan Sage with a slight shuffle of personnel with Wormwell now one of the front two

Malmesbury were the better side in the second half though, both in possession & territorially, which resulted in a number of shots and corners.

Their pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute when Mani Roper was deemed not to have fouled DeRosa when winning the ball back and his shot from just outside the box matched Wormwell’s earlier effort.

Lancastle had a half chance with a couple of minutes left but Thornbury didn’t really deserve a goal based on their second half display.

Once again, Thornbury had defended well dealing with both some excellent diagonal long balls, numerous corners and the strength & pace of Malmesbury’s front runners.

A classic game of two halves.

The Flying Monk ground will not be an easy place to go this season and it may be a point gained on the road rather than two dropped.

Thornbury’s next two matches are both at home - on Saturday 26th vs Shortwood United in the cup and then title favourites Malvern Town visit the Mundy’s on Tuesday 29th.