Thornbury 0

Malmesbury 1

Malmesbury Victoria progressed to the second knockout round of the Hellenic League Subsdiary Cup with a narrow victory over Thornbury Town on Tuesday night.

Jamie Packer gave The Vics an early lead when he headed in Krystian Hext's cross to score his fourth goal in his last three games after 11 minutes at Mundy Fields.

Thornbury were presented a great opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty nine minutes later after Toby Bennett was brought down in the box.

Ant Brown proved to be the hero for Malmesbury though as he pulled off a fine save to deny Craig Lancastle and preserve Malmesbury's lead.

Malmesbury almost doubled their lead early in the second half but Thornbury stand-in keeper Brandon Benjamin did well to deny Joe Tranter.

The Vics stood firm in the second half and saw the game out to progress.

After North Leigh United's resignation from the league, it's now six wins in a row rather than seven for Malmesbury in all competitions.

Thornbury were the last team to beat them back on Saturday, December 8 with a 2-0 league win at Mundy Fields.

It's still 26 goals in six games for Andy Wicks' side, even after you deduct the eight they netted against North Leigh.

Fixtures are coming thick and fast for the Vics who are now fighting on four fronts.

Malmesbury's Supplementary Cup fixture against Stokenchurch was postponed on Saturday due to snow but has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 16.

They will also face Division One East side Didcot Town Development in the third round of the Floodlit Cup on Saturday, February 12.

Malmesbury return to league action this weekend as they host Cirencester Town Development in Hellenic League Division One West.

The Vics are fifth, but are just two points off third place.

Cirencester Development are currently eighth in the league.

It's the first league meeting between the two sides this season.

They did face each other in the group stages of the Subsidiary Cup earlier in the season.

Malmesbury lost 6-0 away but did beat them 6-1 in the return leg.