Stroud & District League Division 2

Trident FC 2

Minchinhampton FC 5

MINCH FC are closing in on the top two after a five-star display at Trident FC.

Earlier, Natty Buckland's team plans in disarray and this was compounded with the early loss of Dean Murray to injury.

The deadlock was broken when Jack Hornsby's snap-shot was parried by the keeper into the path of Jamie Lees who steered the loose ball into the net.

This lead was soon doubled when Josh Button broke forward and his cross shot flew into the net off the far post.

Looking comfortable with half-time looming Minchinhampton conceded a sloppy goal when a wayward pass was intercepted and a great through ball was run onto by a Trident midfielder who just reached the ball before the Minchinhampton keeper, James Crowest, and prodded the ball home from close range.

Almost immediately after the break a slow start for the visitors saw Trident hit back quickly. James Crowest saved well from the initial stinging shot but the rebound fell to an onrushing Trident player to slam the ball into the empty net.

With frustration now building and the play scrappy Minchinhampton needed some inspiration and this came in the form of skipper, Ollie Portlock, who drove forward with the ball and let fly with an effort straight out of the top drawer which flashed into the goal off the inside of the post from fully 35 yards.

The game was still competitive and needed good defensive work from Liam St Clair Moore and Tom Moss to prevent a further Trident comeback. Giles Arnold went close to extending the lead but saw his effort fly wide of the mark and late on the unusually quiet Jack Hornsby came to life with two more goals to cement the victory. The first saw him set free by Riki Noble to finish well from an acute angle and the second was a fine finish crashing a shot across the keeper and into the roof of the net.

Overall not the best performance of late but another win at a difficult place to get a result and showing that the side still has the appetite to fight for the automatic promotion slots should either Rodborough Old Boys or Longlevens slip-up.

Minchinhampton Star Man ... Riki Noble.