Thorns give a poor display

AN off-key Thornbury side gave one of their worst displays of the season as they struggled to overcome a determined and well-organised DRG Stapleton outfit.

Struggling in the relegation zone, DRG clearly came for a point, playing just one striker up front.

Thornbury took the lead after five minutes with a well worked goal. Ross Irwin rounded a defender before putting in a deep cross to Rich Sage unmarked on the far post. Sage hammered the ball past the helpless keeper from six yards.

For the rest of the half Town played the better football but seemed to become more and more frustrated by their inability to break down the visitors, who chased and harried all afternoon.

However Thornbury extended their lead right on half-time when they won a free-kick 30 yards out. Brad Andrews took the kick which held too much power for the keeper, the ball bouncing loose, and the alert Lee Jasper followed up to fire home from close range.

The two-goal advantage at the break should have spelt game over for DRG, but within ten minutes of the restart they had pulled a goal back. Town lost possession in midfield and the ball was quickly played upfield by DRG for their striker to race clear and calmly slot home past the stranded Rice.

Thorns surrendered the two points when an attack broke down, and with Ross Irwin lying injured on the edge of the DRG penalty area, the ball was cleared upfield where the DRG striker outpaced Jason Rees and again beat the despairing dive of Dave Rice.

DRG caught the Town defence out twice more to almost steal an unlikely victory but on both occasions the ball ran just wide of the post.

Meanwhile Thornbury almost snatched a win when an Andy Brookbanks header smacked against the bar with the keeper well beaten.

Town will regret the loss of two valuable points and will look for a much improved performance this Saturday when they face a local derby away at Yate Town Reserves, who have had a good run of late. Fans should note that Saturday's fixture kicks off at 1pm.