Webb celebrates 400th match for Thornbury

FOLLOWING a three-week break in January due to frozen pitches, games have been coming thick and fast for Thornbury Town, who played five in a fortnight.

Two penalties from Jack Sheppard-Cozens saw Thorns go through to the next round of the Challenge Cup, winning a tricky tie against Newbury 2-1.

The win sees Town face an away trip to Royal Wootton Bassett in the next round.

Unfortunately journeys to Hereford Pegasus and Fairford Town saw the home sides take maximum points (3-1 and 2-1 respectively), despite good displays from Thorns.

At Hereford, the goal of the game was scored for Town by 17-year-old Jack Smith, a 30-yard effort that gave the goalkeeper no chance, whilst Harry Brock netted the consolation goal at Fairford.

Thornbury continued their improving form in recent home games, with a 2-0 win against Longlevens. Brock and Nathan Sage secured the three points in front of well over 100 supporters. This game marked long serving wing-back Tom Webb’s 400th game for the club, a remarkable achievement at this level of football.

Having come through the club’s junior sides, Tom made his first team debut in December 2008 as a 16 year old, under then manager Dave Lippiatt.

Meanwhile, the home fixture against Hereford Lads Club saw Town make a superb recovery from 2-0 down to win 3-2, with second half goals from Rhys Hodgson, Brandon Benjamin and Harry Brock.

The club are also pleased to announce the return of former Gloucester City and Newport

County player Gary Kemp, as assistant to first team manager Rich Joyce.

His experience of playing at a higher level will help Town in their quest to retain their Premier division status.

The Reserves continue to challenge for League and Cup honours.

Having secured a 2-0 victory over Lion FC in the County Cup, with goals from Jacob Harper and Matt Constable, they now face a difficult game away at St Vallier in the semi-final.

They are also maintaining their push for promotion and, following a goalless draw at home to league leaders Old Sodbury, they got back to winning ways the following week away at Chipping Sodbury Reserves.

Harrison Young and James Cooke both netted twice, and further goals from Matt Constable, Cam Drew and Ollie Wilson saw them romp to a comfortable 7-0 win.

With games in hand on the leading pack, promotion to the Bristol Premier Combination next season is very much in their own hands.

The A team’s stop-start season continues, but in a very tight division they still lie in fourth place.

A 4-4 draw at home to Nicholas Wanderers was followed by a great 3-0 win away at Oldland Abbotonians.

However the visit of AFC Mangotsfield Reserves the following week saw the league leaders and title favourites visitors emerge 5-2 victors, despite a determined display from Thorns A team.

Malcolm Carr