Stroud & District Football League Division Two

Minchinhampton FC 4

Longlevens Thirds 1

MINCHINHAMPTON produced a good footballing and battling team performance to comprehensively beat top-of-the-table Longlevens side who had been unbeaten in their previous 15 matches.

A front-foot start saw Jamie Lees towering header crash against the crossbar and Jack Hornby's effort cleared off the line.

Frustratingly the home side failed to breach the Longlevens defence in this purple-patch and the visitors grew into the match.

Several dangerous free-kicks were survived then the home side was undone when a whipped ball into the box was lost in flight and Nick Bradley swivelled and drove home the loose ball.

Minchinhampton's response was swift with Riki Noble's looping high ball putting Jack Hornsby in a foot race with the Longlevens centre-halves and he nipped the ball past the keeper and guided the ball into the net.

Soon after a Tom Beard deep free-kick found Riki Noble who played the ball across for the onrushing Dean Murray to clip the ball past the keeper to give the home side a well deserved half- time lead.

The second period was equally hard fought with Tom Beard, Tom Moss and Liam St Clair Moore marshalled by Ryan Edwards all excellent in defence and giving the dangerous Longlevens front men little encouragement for their efforts.

In goal, Ash Hallett also provided an assured presence when called upon.

The crucial third goal finally came when the impressive Ollie Portlock fired in a delicious free- kick which was met by Jack Hornsby who slid the ball home at the back post.

Angus Gegg then had a glorious opportunity to put the game to bed but rushed his shot with the goal at his mercy and saw his effort creep wide of the post. With time ebbing away the fourth goal did arrive when Josh Button raced down the touchline before pulling the ball across the box for Jack Hornsby to run on to and place into the net to bag yet another hattrick.

A fine all-round team performance masterminded by Natty Buckland, who named Ollie Portlock and Tom Moss as joint men-of-the-match.

Stroud & District Football League Division Six

Stroud United Reserves 0

Minchinhampton Reserves 5

MINCH Reserves continued their unbeaten March as they came away from bottom of the table Stroud United with three points, a clean sheet and five goals.

Kicking down the slope Minchinhampton were in control for long periods and took an early lead when Calum Moylan was able to capitalise on a defensive error to stride unopposed into the box and fire past the home custodian, off the post and in.

Nick Matthews added a second, the ball falling kindly from a deflected shot for him to dispatch with aplomb. Two soon became three with Sam Wickham opening his account with a fierce half volley in the box to leave the keeper no chance.

Guilty of taking their foot off the pedal Byron Alley was unlucky to find Josh Morton in excellent form in goal and defenders, Ash Hands and Dan Matthews capable of snuffing out any danger.

A change of half, but no change in fortune, there was no let up for the home side, as Minchinhampton continued to press for a fourth.

It came in the shape of a rare headed goal from Sam Wickham on the end of a Tom Cordon cross. Stroud were restricted to rare forays into the Minchinhampton half but threatened only on the odd occasion.

Goal number five arrived with Sam Wickham completing his hat-trick, following up and firing the ball over the line from close range after Nick Matthews’ goal bound header was handled on the goal line.

Minchinhampton were unlucky not to add further woe to Stroud’s afternoon with some wasteful finishing but mission accomplished.

Minchinhampton man of the match ... Josh Morton.