Poor second half costs Wood

Having competed well for the opening first 45 minutes and perhaps being a shade unlucky to be a goal down Wood were frankly awful in the second period and time and time again were carved open by a lively Thornbury attack. As good as they were Town might have wondered how they had so much time and space and if not for a fine display from Wood keeper Clark the home side might have doubled their score! Wood may point at the fact that Town should have had Craig Lancastle sent off after 9 minutes. Lancastle’s tackle on Purnell was very high and very late and although there is no doubt it was not malicious it was reckless in the extreme and he was extremely lucky to escape with a yellow card. Purnell continued until half time but was unable to continue after.

On a very wet and windy afternoon Wood started brightly and more than matched their free scoring hosts. Shots on target were few and far between in the opening and twice home keeper Lippiatt had to be out quickly to clear through balls. The best of the chances fell to Wormwell who shot wide and Harper who had an effort deflected inches wide. With 43 minutes gone Town took the lead. A slack ball out of defence fell to Farthing and his pass to the dangerous Wormwell set him free down the flank. Wormwell cut in and fired an unstoppable shot across Clark and into the far corner.

The second half belonged to Thornbury and when they did get forward Wood were repeatedly caught off side by the Town defence who played a high line. Clark saved well from Lancastle and then saved from Farthing with his feet as the Town player raced through. Gardner then wasted a real opportunity by shooting from an acute angle with the unmarked Lancastle waiting at the far post. In a rare moment of ascendency Harper passed when he should have shot and the chance was gone. Bowles was then inches wide with a 20 yard effort.. Town doubled their lead after 69 minutes when a superb dummy from Lancastle set Gardner free and he raced through to score. It was 0-3 minutes later when Wood were cleaved apart again and Farthing had time to finish. Clark saved well from Lancastle, Benjamin hit the Wood post and Clark again denied Lancastle.

In the last minute Langworthy sent in a high cross and keeper Lippiatt dropped it straight on to the foot of the lurking Dion Chambers who instantly fired home to give the Wood a consolation. There was still time for Clark to deny Lancastle at close range before the final whistle.
Wood said goodbye to Chambers after this game as he leaves to join Mangotsfield and the club wishes him well for the future.

Clark, Purnell (Langworthy 45), Waddington, Chambers, Nowell, Hoskins, Bowles, Fogg, Harper (Mills 70), Beadle, Miles (Yasin 70)