MATCH REPORTS 2008/09 SEASON PAGE 3

Click here for match reports from Tuesday 15th July - Saturday 4th October.

Click here for match reports from Tuesday 7th October - Saturday 29th November

Tuesday 2nd December - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Brackley Town 3 Mangotsfield United 1

A youthful and inexperienced Mangotsfield United side featuring nine players aged nineteen or under and including Bristol Rovers youth team goalkeeper Matt Dunk found themselves up against it after conceding three unanswered first half goals. Hopes of an unlikely comeback were raised after Mitchell Page reduced the deficit on fifty five minutes. Despite a spirited and determined second half showing Brackley ran out comfortable winners to condemn Mangotsfield to a fourth reverse in the last five league fixtures.

A bright start from the hosts was rewarded with a eleventh minute opener after Tom Winters and John Gardner combined to set up Ben MacKey who fired home confidently, low into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later Mangotsfield looked to have drawn level after Mitchell Page ran clear of the Brackley defence only to be denied by Tom Willshere who parried, but with Tom Collett following up to score his effort was ruled out for offside.

Brackley opened up the Mangotsfield rearguard with regularity throughout the first half and were rewarded with a second goal nine minutes before half time courtesy of a Dean Cracknell spot kick, awarded controversially after Ellis Wilmot was harshly adjudged to have tripped Ben MacKey.

Minutes later Brackley added a third after Jon Gardner fed Chris Harper who guided the ball past Matt Dunk. 'The Saints' finished the half strongly as Ben MacKey and Chris Harper both went close to adding a fourth.

The second half continued in a similar vein with Brackley threatening more goals. However on fifty five minutes, and during Mangotsfield's best spell of the match a counter attack saw Mitchell Page beat the offside trap to run clear and take the ball around Brackley goalkeeper Tom Willshere to score his fifth of the season.

Minutes after reducing the deficit, and for a second time during the match the a linesman's flag denied Mangotsfield as Tom Collett had a goal disallowed for offside.

After the setback of conceding, the home side went close to increasing their lead through Tom Winters, Tony Fontanelle and Danny Spencer, whose twenty five yard effort brought a fine save out of Matt Dunk.

Saturday 6th December - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Farnborough 3 Mangotsfield United 1

Goals at the beginning and at the end of the first half effectively wrapped up the points for table topping Farnborough. However an encouraging second half performance from a Mangotsfield was rewarded when James Fitzpatrick reduced the deficit on eighty three minutes. Any hopes Mangotsfield had of a late comeback were dashed with three minutes remaining when substitute Marcus Richardson restored the two goal cushion to ease the growing anxiety at Cherrywood Road.

League leaders Farnborough made an ideal start by taking the lead within four minutes. The goal was created by Darren Wheeler who after being picked out wide on the left made ground into the penalty area where his low cross found Michael Charles who nipped in at the near post to beat goalkeeper Matt Dunk to the ball before crossing into the six yard box were Mark Gamble rose to head home.

Mangotsfield were dealt a blow on ten minutes when Shaun Morris left the pitch with a head injury which subsequently required four stitches. The enforced reshuffle saw striker Tom Collett switched to a role on the right of midfield with substitute James Fitzpatrick being used in an attacking role alongside Mitchell Page.

On fourteen minutes the hosts were awarded a free kick in a central position twenty five yards from goal. Darren Wheeler playing against his former club stepped up to curl the ball around the wall but his effort was comfortably dealt with as Matt Dunk saved at the foot of his right hand upright.

After an opening fifteen minutes in which the home side exerted early pressure Mangotsfield rallied and should have drawn level after a miscued clearance on the left edge of the Farnborough penalty area dropped to Mitchell Page who with just goalkeeper Lyall Beazley to beat hesitated allowing Adam Doyle to make a last ditch challenge.

Another chance went begging minutes later after a throw in on the right found Mitchell Page who after bringing the ball under control turned and shot to bring a fine reaction save out of Lyall Beazley who blocked with his legs.

A Farnborough side which finished the half strongly went close to adding a second ten minutes before half time when a lucky break deep in the Mangotsfield half saw the ball break kindly for striker Mark Gamble who found himself presented with a one on one with Matt Dunk who half blocked Gamble's effort which was then cleared off the line by Rob Scott who slid in to divert the ball away from goal but with Leigh Rumbold following up the danger hadn't passed as his goalbound effort was turned behind by Dunk.

Mangotsfield's efforts after recovering from the blow of conceding an early goal were undone five minutes before half time when Farnborough added a second after Ian Oliver's cross from the left was headed clear at the near post by Scott Hendy but with the ball dropping to the unmarked Ryan Scott his strike from twenty five yards out arrowed into the top left corner to leave Mangotsfield facing an uphill task.

With eight minutes of the second half played Mangotsfield were almost gifted a goal after goalkeeper Lyall Beazley failed to hold Ellis Wilmot's innocuous looking free kick allowing the ball to run free and with James Fitzpatrick reacting the quickest his strike from the right side of the penalty area was turned behind by Beazley.

Three minutes later Mangotsfield were awarded another free kick after Ellis Wilmot's surging run was brought to an abrupt halt. The resultant free kick was taken as Farnborough were still preparing for the kick to be taken only for Geraint Bater's shot to curl wide of the left hand upright.

With Mangotsfield taking the game to their opponents Matt Townley wasted a glorious chance on sixty eight minutes after good work down the Farnborough right saw Tom Collett deliver a cross to the back post where Townley headed back across goal but wide of the far post.

Farnborough who had offered little threat during the second half should have sewn the game up on seventy one minutes when Ryan Scott was found in space just inside the Mangotsfield penalty area where with time to look up and pick his spot he failed to trouble Matt Dunk when shooting well over.

With seven minutes left to play Mangotsfield were offered hope after the Farnborough rearguard failed to clear Matt Townley's long throw from the left and with the ball bouncing inside the six yard box James Fitzpatrick headed in at the far post.

Mangotsfield's hopes of a late equaliser were killed off four minutes from time when a David Ray cross from the right found substitute Marcus Richardson who with his back to goal shrugged off the attentions of Scott Hendy to turn and shoot low past Matt Dunk.

Farnborough could have added a fourth when deep into stoppage time Leigh Rumbold's corner from the right was met by the unmarked Marcus Richardson who outjumped the Mangotsfield defence to power a header just wide.

Saturday 13th December - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Bedford Town 3 Mangotsfield United 1

In one of only two league fixtures to beat the weather Mangotsfield United's poor run of form continued with a 3 - 1 reverse at The New Eyrie. Bedford were sent on their way by Craig Daniel's eighth minute opener which gave the hosts a half time lead. Jon Darby gave Bedford breathing space when doubling the lead just four minutes after the restart, however the two goal advantage was reduced on sixty nine minutes when Matt Townley scored his first goal for Mangotsfield since his arrival from Team Bath. Any hopes Mangotsfield had of a fightback diminished minutes later when Ian Draycott restored the two goal cushion to condemn Mangotsfield to a fifth straight league defeat.

A Mangotsfield side which included new signings Richard Fey and Matt Groves once again found themselves up against it after conceding an early goal for the sixth time in the last eight outings. The opening goal came with just nine minutes played when Tony Battersby found Craig Daniel on the right edge of the penalty area where after being afforded time to pick his spot he drilled the ball past Richard Fey into the top right corner.

In a half of few clearcut chances Ian Draycott twice failed to find the target with close range headers whilst minutes before half time Craig Daniel's strike through a crowded penalty area was dealt with by Richard Fey.

The woodwork saved Mangotsfield just before half time when a Jon Woolf corner from the left found Stuart Wall at the far post where the defender's header struck the upright, with the loose ball being cleared away for another corner.

Bedford's lead was doubled four minutes into the second half when the Mangotsfield rearguard failed to deal with a Craig Daniel corner to the near post allowing the ball to find Jon Darby who was presented with the simplest of tasks when heading home from close range.

The home side appeared to ease up after extending their lead and were nearly punished on sixty two minutes when Matt Townley was denied by Jon Darby's goal-line clearance.

Mangotsfield were offered hope with twenty one minutes remaining when a Matt Groves' corner was met by the head of Matt Townley who rose to beat Michael Armitt with a well directed glancing header from inside the six yard box.

The response from Bedford was almost immediate as Ian Draycott scored a third for the home side after Craig Daniel picked out the unmarked Draycott who headed past Richard Fey to seal the points.

Tuesday 16th December - GFA Senior Challenge Trophy Quarter Final - Mangotsfield United 1 Gloucester City 3

Any hopes of picking up some silverware at the end of the season were ended as a strong Gloucester City side ran out comfortable winners at Cossham Street. Mangotsfield made their now customary poor start  when conceding an opening goal within two minutes, however the tie was levelled on ten minutes when Marcus Duharty bagged his seventh of the season with a composed finish. The visitors re-took the lead just before the half hour mark to go in a goal up at half time. Gloucester City's place in the last four alongside Cheltenham Town was confirmed with fourteen minutes remaining when substitute Alex Sykes came off the bench to score a third from a tight angle.

Despite a warning in the opening seconds when Richard Fey dived low to his right to deny Will Morford Mangotsfield found themselves a goal down inside two minutes after the unmarked Lee Smith received the ball  on the left edge of the area where with time to pick his spot he beat Fey with a low shot into the bottom left corner.

Mangotsfield were behind for less than ten minutes as Steve Fitzpatrick's through ball from wide on the right sent leading scorer Marcus Duharty clear of a static Gloucester backline to confidently beat Kevin Sawyer low to his left.

Gloucester were almost gifted the lead on seventeen minutes when a seemingly harmless cross form the left was spilt by Richard Fey who was rescued as Scott Hendy cleared off the line. A minute later the visitors went close to adding a second after Lee Smith received the ball on the far right edge of the penalty area where after making space to shoot his strike flashed wide of the far post.

A goalkeeping error presented Gloucester with the lead on twenty nine minutes when Richard Fey failed to collect Jack Harris's corner from the right and was outjumped by Marc Richards who headed home from within the six yard box.

With half time approaching chances fell to both teams, on forty one minutes Mangotsfield's Marcus Duharty did well when winning possession wide on the Gloucester left where he pulled the ball back to the edge of the area for Mitch Tippins whose first time strike just cleared the bar.

Two minutes later and with the Mangotsfield rearguard standing motionless with hands in the air appealing for an offside the ball was played to Luke Ballinger who guided the ball past Richard Fey only to be denied by Danny Barwood who had made ground to clear off the line.

With just a minute of the second half played Mangotsfield went close to equalising for a second time after a cross from the left was half cleared to Ellis Wilmot whose shot from twenty five yards went a foot over the bar as Gloucester City goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer looked on.

Twice in the space of seven minutes Gloucester were denied by Richard Fey, on fifty two minutes Jack Harris showed quick feet when finding space to force Fey into low save to his left whilst minutes later when faced with a one on one with Ballinger Fey blocked with his legs.

Marcus Duharty who had been Mangotsfield's main goal threat almost drew Mangotsfield level on seventy two minutes after a counter attack through central midfield saw the ball worked to the right flank where Duharty cut inside making ground into the right of the penalty area to shoot across goal.

Substitute Alex Sykes who had been on the pitch for nine minutes put the match out of Mangotsfield's reach with a fine solo goal on seventy six minutes. After latching onto a loose ball in the inside left channel Sykes burst into the penalty area where after taking the ball around the advancing Fey he found the back of the net from a tight angle.

Gloucester's lead could have been extended on eighty minutes after the ball was won in midfield and played wide to Luke Ballinger who with time to steady himself saw his shot parried behind for a corner.

With seven minutes left to play an Ellis Wilmot free kick driven in low from the left wasn't cleared and with the ball breaking to Marcus Duharty his goalbound strike from twelve yards brought a fine reaction save out of Kevin Sawyer.

Mangotsfield's poor disciplinary record resurfaced with the dismissal of captain Scott Hendy four minutes from time for a second caution.

Saturday 20th December - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Mangotsfield United 0 Rugby Town 2

Mangotsfield United's battle against relegation was dealt another blow when fellow strugglers Rugby Town left Cossham Street with all three points. After an evenly contested opening forty five minutes a second half brace from Scott Musgrove condemned Mangotsfield to an sixth straight league defeat. The margin of defeat would have been greater had it not been for an impressive showing from the returning Josh Clapham.

After an uninspiring opening twenty five minutes the first chance of the match fell to Marcus Duharty who after receiving the ball just outside the penalty area made space only for his curling strike to go wide of the right hand upright.

It was Duharty who went close again ten minutes later when a throw in on the Rugby left was taken quickly with Matt Townley finding Duharty inside the penalty area where from a tight angle he drilled a shot just over.

With half time approaching the visitors who had failed to create a notable chance finished the half strongly. On thirty six minutes a cross into the heart of the penalty area was cleared as far as Brian Woodhall whose effort from twenty yards was saved by Josh Clapham whilst minutes later a Stefan Morley free kick curled just wide.

In the final minute Rugby created two further chances, the first falling to leading scorer David Kolodynski who beat the offside trap to run clear and faced with only the goalkeeper to beat he was denied as Clapham saved low down at the foot of the near post. The final action of the half saw Clapham make another fine save when blocking Dave Stone's goalbound strike with his legs.

Rugby were presented with an opening shortly after the restart when Rob Scott's under hit back pass was intercepted by David Kolodynski who raced clear into the right side of the penalty area where his miss hit shot skewed across goal to the unmarked David Stone who failed to find the target from twelve yards out.

The visitors took the lead on sixty one minutes after the ball was worked to Steve Purton wide on the Mangotsfield left from where he crossed to the near post for Scott Musgrove to volley home from close range.

The lead should have been doubled five minutes later when for the third time David Kolodynski ran clear of the Mangotsfield rearguard, this time down the left flank, but for the second time he was thwarted by Clapham who saved with his feet.

Koldynski's earlier misses could have proved costly had Rugby goalkeeper Andrew Stevens not blocked Marcus Duharty's close range shot on sixty six minutes to preserve the Warwickshire based side's one goal advantage.

Mangotsfield's hopes of earning anything from the match were ended when conceding a second on seventy two minutes. The goal was almost a carbon copy of the opener with the ball worked to Matt Gearing wide on the left where after making ground the ball was delivered into the six box for the unmarked Scott Musgrove who arrived to guide the ball past Clapham.

Minutes later, Rugby, who started the day in the drop zone were twice prevented from adding to their lead as Clapham turned a Steve Purton shot behind for a corner and then made another fine save this time from David Stone.

A late rally saw Mangotsfield create a three chances, the first falling to makeshift striker Scott Hendy who got on the end of Matt Townley's free kick from the right only to head wide whilst moments later Townley directed a header straight at Andrew Stevens in the Rugby goal.

In the final seconds a corner from the right was delivered into the heart of a crowded penalty area and with the ball being headed back towards goal Rugby custodian Andrew Stevens had to scramble across his line to tip the ball over the bar.

Saturday 27th December - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Yate Town 2 Mangotsfield United 1

Mangotsfield United's poor league record against Yate Town continued as the home side ran out winners by the odd goal in three. Yate dominated the first half and deservedly went in two goals up at half time thanks to a Dean Griffiths double. However the second half saw a turnaround as for long periods Yate were on the back foot. Mangotsfield were rewarded when reducing the deficit with nineteen minutes remaining through Matt Groves but despite this Yate held on for three points as the clubs swapped places with Mangotsfield slipping worryingly into the relegation places.

Yate made a bright start when going close to an opener with just three minutes played when a Jason Wood free kick from the left was met by Jake Reid whose glancing header beat Josh Clapham only to hit the bar with the follow up shot being blocked on the line.

After an uneventful fifteen minute period in which neither team threatened the hosts took the lead when Ed Vahid crossed low into the Mangotsfield penalty area where the ball was cleared as far as Dean Griffiths who drilled the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Minutes later Yate twice went close to adding to their lead, the first chance falling to Dean Griffiths who after latching onto a loose ball twenty yards from goal saw his strike flash wide whilst Matt Beadle's low shot from twenty five yards was saved by Josh Clapham.

Yate's dominance paid dividends with a second goal from Dean Griffiths on twenty eight minutes after the ball was worked from right to left to Jason Wood who whipped a cross into the heart of the penalty area where Griffiths ran across the Mangotsfield defence to guide a looping header over Clapham.

Mangotsfield's only chance of the first half came on thirty one minutes when Matt Townley's cross from the left was met at the near post by Scott Hendy who rose well to flick a header across the face of goal but wide of the right hand upright.

The second half saw a reverse of the first as Mangotsfield dictated for long spells. The tone of the second period was set in the opening two minutes when Matt Townley's low cross from the left found Marcus Duharty at the far post only for Mangotsfield's leading scorer to skew his volley wide of goal.

On sixty seven minutes Mitchell Page should have done better after another Matt Townley cross from the left was met at the near post by Page who failed to find the target when heading wide from close range.

Mangotsfield were offered hope on seventy one minutes after the Yate defence failed to clear Matt Townley's long throw allowing the ball to break to Matt Groves whose low drive from the left side of the area found the bottom right corner.

Despite being pinned inside their own half for the vast majority of remaining nineteen minutes a nervous Yate side which had previously shipped eight goals at Stourbridge managed to hold on to take the points and record a first league win in eleven attempts.

Tuesday 13th January - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Mangotsfield United 1 Stourbridge 2

Mangotsfield United can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken a point from an entertaining Southern League Premier Division fixture at Cossham Street. Under the guidance of caretaker manager Phil Bater and assistant Pete Aitken Mangotsfield took the lead on fifty six minutes through substitute Tolo Taylor. The lead was to last just twelve minutes as Les Hines levelled for the visitors with a well struck free kick. A Stourbridge side which had been steadily climbing the table over recent weeks sealed the win with fourteen minutes left to play when Ashley Langford finished from close range.

Stourbridge enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and went close to an opener with just two minutes played after a corner from the left was cleared as far as James Dyson on the left edge of the penalty area where he wasted little time in drilling in a powerfully struck effort which cannoned back off the crossbar dropping kindly for Leon Broadhurst who should have done better when finding the side netting with the follow up.

After a nervous opening a young Mangotsfield side settled and created their first chance on the ten minute mark when an Ellis Wilmot corner from the right was met by the unmarked Danny Barwood who failed to find the target when heading wide of the left hand upright. Two minutes later another Ellis Wilmot corner from the right was met by Mitchell Page who despite having escaped his marker headed back across goal but wide of the far post.

Josh Clapham was called into action midway through the half when forced into a save low down to deny Drew Canavan who tried his luck with a speculative effort from twenty five yards.

Stourbridge finished the half strongly and twice went close to taking the lead. On thirty one minutes Drew Cavanan was played in on the Mangotsfield right only for Clapham to come smartly off his line and block with his legs whilst eight minutes later a free kick from tight to the left touchline was delivered to the into the heart of the Mangotsfield penalty area where James Dyson went close with a glancing header.

The second half started as the first had finished with Stourbridge on the front foot. The visitors were almost gifted an opener two minutes after the restart when an error from Neil Arndale allowed Drew Canavan a clear run at goal but Josh Clapham reacted quickly to come off his line and block, but with the rebound falling kindly for Canavan he was denied for a second time when his goalbound header was cleared off the line by the covering Danny Barwood.

Moments later Stourbridge's Sam Rock received the ball in a position just right of centre where after looking up he curled an effort towards the top left corner to bring a finger tip save out of Clapham who at full length turned the ball behind for a corner.

On fifty three minutes, after a swift counter attack Stourbridge striker Calum Martin was sent clear of the Mangotsfield defence but he failed to find a way past Josh Clapham who came off his line to make another fine save.

The introduction of Tolo Taylor on fifty four minutes paid off almost immediately after Mitch Tippins made ground down the Stourbridge left where he combined with Mitchell Page to create an opening for Taylor who after being slid in on the left edge of the area showed plenty of composure when guiding the ball past Lewis Solly into the bottom right corner.

Disappointingly Stourbridge were level within eight minutes when Les Hines' well struck twenty five yard free kick took a slight deflection to beat Josh Clapham.

After conceding Mangotsfield rallied and could have retaken the lead on seventy minutes when a move down the Mangotsfield right saw Steven Fitzpatrick whip in a low cross to the near post for Mitchell Page who failed to connect properly with a volley which Lewis Solly saved with ease.

On seventy four minutes further good work on the right from Steven Fitzpatrick saw the ball worked inside to James Pilling who with time and space to line up his shot dragged his effort wide of the right hand upright.

The decisive goal came with fourteen minutes remaining when Stourbridge broke quickly with the ball being worked to Calum Martin who looked up to square the ball to the right side of the area to the unmarked Ashley Langford who took a couple of touches before passing the ball into the bottom left corner.

Mangotsfield were denied a last minute equaliser when an Ellis Wilmot corner from the right was met by the returning Andy Criddle who powered a header goalwards only for Stourbridge goalkeeper Lewis Solly to make a superb point blank reaction save to earn his side a fifth league win in their last seven outings.

Saturday 17th January - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Tiverton Town 0 Mangotsfield United 0

A battling, hard working performance in testing conditions was rewarded as a ten match losing streak was brought to an end. Caretaker Manager Phil Bater made one change to the starting line up with Matt Groves coming in for Shaun Morris who was named amongst the substitutes. With Scott Hendy sitting out the match through suspension seventeen year old Ryan Bennett continued in a central defensive role alongside Neil Arndale and Danny Barwood.

The early exchanges saw little in the way of clearcut chances, the only opening inside an evenly contested first fifteen minutes falling to Tiverton's Paul Wyatt who after being found wide on the left tested Josh Clapham with an effort which was parried as he dived to his left. Skipper Ellis Wilmot mopped with a clearance up field as Lewis Powell looked to latch onto the loose ball.

Clapham was called into action again on twenty minutes after a corner from the right was cleared as far as Adam Faux whose goalbound strike was claimed as Clapham leapt to his right to make a spectacular save.

Mangotsfield's first chance of note came nine minutes before half time after a quickly taken corner on the Tiverton right was crossed to the heart of the penalty area where the unmarked Mitchell Page headed wide of the right hand upright.

Minutes later James Pilling was felled to earn Mangotsfield a free kick on the left edge of the penalty area. From the free kick Ellis Wilmot brought a fine save out of Steve Book who just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Mangotsfield's best chance of the half from open play came on forty minutes when the ball was worked to the edge of the area where Mitchell page held the ball up before finding Mitch Tippins who shot weakly at Steve Book.

In the remaining five minutes the hosts created two chances, the first falling to Paul Wyatt who once again found space on the Mangotsfield right where after cutting inside he shot straight at Clapham whilst on the stroke of half time Wyatt turned provider after making ground on the left to deliver a pinpoint cross for Phil Walsh whose powerful close range header brought a fine reaction save out of Clapham.

For the vast majority of a second half which saw Mangotsfield playing into a gale force wind Tiverton dominated possession. After an uneventful start to the half the hosts went close to taking the lead, after having two shots blocked the ball broke to Paul Wyatt who shot on the turn only for Clapham to dive low to his right to make the save.

Despite enjoying plenty of territorial advantage Tiverton failed to turn this supremacy into chances. The crowd of 328 had to wait until the eighty seventh minute for the next worthwhile opening when Paul Wyatt's hanging cross from tight to the goal line was met by Phil Walsh who with the goal at his mercy failed to beat Clapham who parried, but with the ball rebounding out to Mark Saunders Clapham was called upon to make a second save, this time low down at the foot of his right hand upright.

Deep into added time Phil Walsh received the ball in space wide on the Mangotsfield left where with time to look up and pick his spot he crossed low to the near post where substitute David Hook's back heel went just wide.

Saturday 24th January - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Mangotsfield United 1 Bashley 0

Mitchell Page's six goal of the season deep into added time earned Mangotsfield United a vital three points in the battle to pull away from the relegation zone. Newly installed manager Phil Bater made one change to the starting line up with loan signing Ryan Havard coming in for teenage striker James Pilling. Central defender Scott Hendy sat out the match as he completed a three match ban.

The visitors who enjoyed good spells of possession throughout the first half went close to an early opener with just two minutes played after the ball was worked from left to right to Bashley's leading scorer Richard Gillespie whose shot on the turn went wide of the left hand upright.

The home supporters had to wait until the half hour mark for Mangotsfield to threaten, the chance coming after Matt Groves found Mitchell Page on the far right of the penalty area where his first time strike was turned behind for a corner.

Minutes later Bashley almost went ahead when Justin Keeler's free kick from the left edge of the area was spilt by Josh Clapham whose handling error went unpunished as the ball went behind for a corner.

The final action of the half of few chances came with four minutes remaining after a break down the Bashley right saw the ball worked to Matt Groves whose low strike from the left posed little threat as David Elm made a comfortable save.

Much as in the first half Bashley continued to enjoy good spells of possession but despite this Josh Clapham was rarely tested. Bashley's best chance of the second half came shortly after the restart when a low cross to the near post was met by Marc Fairbrother whose close range shot went just wide.

A golden opportunity for Mangotsfield to take the lead went begging on the hour mark after Danny Barwood rose unchallenged to head an Ellis Wilmot corner from the right wide of the far post.

Clapham was called into action midway through the half after a move down the Mangotsfield right saw the ball worked inside to substitute Charlie Knight whose strike from twenty yards was saved as Clapham went low to his right.

A flashpoint on the seventy minute mark saw both teams reduced to ten men when Ryan Havard and Pete Castle clashed on the halfway line leading to a second yellow card for Havard and a straight red for Castle.

Despite the loss of Havard Mangotsfield went close to taking the lead five minutes later when after a counter attack down the right the ball was switched inside to Mitchell Page who went close with an effort from twenty yards which flashed wide of the left hand upright.

With the match seemingly heading for a goalless draw Bashley could have taken the points in the final minute when a deep cross from the left found the unmarked Dave Allen who connected sweetly with a right foot volley which went the wrong side of the near post.

Deep into added time James Fitzpatrick made a surging run at the heart of the Bashley defence before squaring the ball to Mitchell Page who after taking a couple of touches drilled the ball past David Elm to seal three precious points.

Tuesday 27th January - British Gas Business Football League Premier Division - Evesham United 3 Mangotsfield United 1

A Mangotsfield United side without the services of Geraint Bater, Danny Barwood and loan signing Ryan Havard made a positive start but rarely troubled Evesham goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan. The hosts worked their way into the match and tested Josh Clapham several times. Clapham twice denied Danny Lennon early on whilst Simon Fitter went close with a free kick which landed on the roof of the net as Clapham looked on. Kevin Slack then went through one on one only to be denied by Clapham who when reacting to Gary Hay's follow up effort required treatment to an injury which later saw him replaced. Evesham's best chance of the half saw Josh Clapham go full length to deny Danny Lennon. With half time approaching Mangotsfield took the lead when Matt Groves met a Steve Fitzpatrick corner at the near post to head into the opposite corner.

Mangotsfield were dealt a blow at half time when goalkeeper Josh Clapham was substituted with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. This led to a reshuffle with Andy Criddle taking over in goal and Mitch Tippins coming on for the injured Clapham. In the opening minute of the second half Kevin Slack hit the bar, but not to be denied he found the back of the net on fifty two minutes after a defensive error saw Neil Arndale dispossessed allowing Steve Luckett to find Slack who beat Andy Criddle with a low shot. Mangotsfield fell behind midway through the half when Gary Hay made the most of some hesitant defending to latch onto Nathan Vaughan's long clearance to calmly guide the ball past the advancing Andy Criddle. Any hopes Mangotsfield had of snatching a point were put to bed with five minutes remaining when Steve Luckett headed home at the back post after Criddle misjudged Simon Fitter's corner from the left.