Today’s result confirmed Mangotsfield’s best start to a campaign in their 20 season’s as a Southern League club. Four wins & 14 goals!! With just two minutes gone, Tom Hillman sent Ben Brooks clear, and his low shot was not too far from the far post. However in the 7th minute, they took the lead. Ashley McGrane did the spade work with a low shot across the box, and Sacha Tong prodded home from close range, 1-0.

The hosts continued to probe. Dan Demkiv rounded the keeper, Steven Oliver, but blazed over the top and Ashley McGrane headed wide from a deep cross. After 24 minutes, ‘The Field’ struck again. Hillman made a fine run and released the ball to Matty Tanner. His low ball across the box was touched home by Sacha Tong.2-0.

Hillman had a low volley turned around for a corner, and ‘Barum’ made their first real attempt on goal. Jed Harper-Penman was high & wide from distance.

HT:2-0

A two-goal burst in as many minutes, put the hosts firmly in control. Tom Hillman delivered one of his ‘special’ free-kicks from 25 yards in the 56th minutes and in the 58th minute Sacha Tong blasted home a half-volley for his hat-trick. 4-0.

Substitutions saw two debuts. The experienced Dominic Broad and youngster Liam Bishop. Bishop tried his luck immediately by testing Steven Oliver from distance, and in the 79th minute, produced an audacious volley for the 5th goal, from 25 yards. 5-0.

Ben Brooks made way for Lee Hartshorn.

To their credit, Barnstaple always kept going and they kept Marko Radovanovic busy at times, but he commanded his 6 yard area very well, and his handling was good. He was, however, unable to prevent a Banstaple consolation goal in the 86th minute. A long ball over the top of the defence found Jack Langford and he guided home past the advancing keeper. 5-1.

A late free-kick from Jed Harper-Penman looked dangerous, but Radovanovic held it cleanly just below the crossbar.

FT:5-1

MANGOTSFIELD UNITED: (Maroon & Sky) (Manager: Ollie Price )
G/K. Marko Radovanovic 2. Treyvond Anderson, 3. Matty Tanner, 4. Kristian Lee, 5. Keith Kearney ©, 6. Mircia Llea, 7. Ashley McGrane, 8. Ben Brooks (Lee Hartshorn 78), 9. Dan Demkiv (Dominic Broad 59), 10. Sacha Tong, 11. Thomas Hillman (Liam Bishop 67).
Unused subs. Lewis Dix, Lewis Saunders
Bookings: Treyvond Anderson (45)
Red Cards: none
Goals: Sacha Tong (7, 24, 58), Tom Hillman (56), Liam Bishop (9)

BARNSTAPLE TOWN ( Blue/Yellow/Blue ) (Manager: Aaron Harper-Penman )
G/K: Steven Oliver, 2. Michael Humphreys, 3. Liam Gregor, 4. Jed Harper-Penman, 5. Dejan Maric, 6. Kieran Jewell, 7. Brian Levien (Ben Paul 88), 8. Jack Jenkins ©, 9. Saddam Bello (Scott Sharp 76), 10. Theo Simpson (Jack Langford 76), 11. Liam Short.
Unused Subs: Matthew Ward, Aaron Harper-Penman
Bookings: none
Red Cards: none
Goals: Jack Langford (86)

Referee: Sean Rothwell, (Plymouth, Devon)
Assistants: Steven Reed (Taunton, Somerset), Jordan Lee

The next match at The KPI Limited Stadium is on Saturday 7th September 2019, when 'The Watersiders' of Blackfield & Langley FC will be the visitors. Kick-off 3pm.