Pucklechurch Sports 0 Thornbury Town 3

THORNBURY dominated from start to finish and the final scoreline did not flatter them in any way, as they kept up their pursuit of the league leaders.

Whilst missing playmaker Brad Andrews through injury, Thorns welcomed back Adam Shorey for his first league start since the beginning of September.

Right from the kick-off Thorns took the match to their hosts, who had little answer to their quick passing game. Having missed a couple of early chances, it was no more than they deserved when they went ahead after ten minutes.

A good move down the right involving Shorey, Mark Viner and Ross Irwin, saw Irwin get behind his defender and fire in a pin-point cross. Leading scorer Andy Brookbanks rose at the far post and headed firmly home.

Sports were given no space in midfield and Thorns always looked dangerous down the wings where both Ross and Nathan Irwin gave their defenders a torrid time.

Town's second came ten minutes before the break. A long kick from Dave Rice totally deceived the home defence, the ball falling behind them. However Ross Irwin read the flight of the ball to perfection and his first time cross into the box was steered home into the corner of the net by Lee Jasper.

Second half saw Pucklechurch push three up front in an attempt to get back into the game. They created three good chances, but two were fired wide whilst a header was directed straight at keeper Rice.

Thorns eventually made their hosts pay for their wayward finishing when a great move up the right saw Ross Irwin play the ball to Mark Viner, who made a strong run into the penalty box before pulling the ball back to the edge of the area, where Adam Shorey rifled home, giving the keeper no chance. A couple of minutes later, 17 year old Steve Thompson had a goal bound effort headed off the line.

By now Sports were a well beaten side, and Town could have increased their lead further with efforts from Brookbanks, Nathan Irwin and Rich Sage all going narrowly wide.

This was a good win for Thornbury who maintained fourth place and will be looking for an equally competent performance this Saturday when DRG Stapleton are the visitors to the Mundy Playing Fields, kick-off 3:00 pm.

l The Reserves had an excellent 3-1 win at Leonard Stanley, with youngster Ross Griffin causing the home defence problems all afternoon. Andy Morse scored the first from the penalty spot after Griffin had been brought down, before Griffin scored himself. Tom Payne then scored the third to clinch three valuable points.