Football: Thornbury beat Slimbridge in cup thriller

12:33pm Friday 5th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Surridge Gloucestershire County League - Les James League Cup - Thornbury Town 4 Slimbridge 3

A SUPERB team performance by Thornbury Town saw them march into the next round of the Les James League Cup at the expense of high flying Slimbridge on Saturday at the Mundy playing Fields. The match did not start to plan when Slimbridge took a first minute lead when an early defensive mix up allowed Carl Brown to slot home from close range. Fighting an upward battle Town started to compose their game and equalised on the tenth minute when Ricki Lippiatt neatly volleyed home from just inside the penalty area from a Jack Warren cross. The remainder of the first half saw both teams playing really in second gear, which was mainly down to the temperature.

The score remained at 1-1 until the 70th minute when Slimbridge took the lead after Marvyn Roberts stroked the ball home from 15 yards out. This stirred Thornbury into action and their trump card was played with the introduction of new signing Steve Alexander for the injured Troy Monks. Within minutes Alexander first squandered an opportunity then calmly levelled the score when he latched onto a through ball and slotted under the oncoming Slimbridge keeper.

Town took the lead for the first time in the game when Alexander squeezed the ball home between two Slimbridge players and the next round of the Cup beckoned. Slimbridge however equalised 3-3 with five minutes remaining when Lewis Wilton was allowed time and space to latch onto a cross from the right and score from five yards out.

Penalties was not the way to end this thrilling cup encounter and with only a minute remaining on the clock Alexander completed his 20 minute second half hat-trick when he nudged the ball home after muscling his way past a number of Slimbridge defenders for 4-3. There was only time to kick off before the final whistle was greeted by a rapturous home crowd.

On Saturday Thornbury travel for the first time this season when they visit Hanham with a 3.00pm kick off.