MANGOTSFIELD United are firmly entrenched in mid-table in the Hellenic League Premier Division, but are on the trail of more glory in cup competitions.
Although they exited the FA Vase in disappointing fashion, with a 2-0 defeat away to Toolstation League side Nailsea and Tickenham, things improved as the Mangos continued their defence of the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup with a 3-1 win at Warwickshire outfit Southam United.
Goals from Jaydn Crosbie (21), Alistair Boyer (25) and Luke Bence (35) gave Mangotsfield a commanding 3-0 half time lead.
The Midland hosts rallied in the second half, pulling a goal back, but the visitors stood firm to clinch the win, despite having substitute Karem Karakus booked and then sent off in stoppage time.
Next up at Cossham Street were the highly-fancied Worcester Raiders in what proved to be a very entertaining 3-3 draw.
Again, a strong first-half performance from the Mangos saw them net three goals, through Will Ashton (25 and 45+2) and Jaydn Crosbie (29), with the visitors getting one back before the break.
Chances occurred at both ends in the second half but it was the visitors who netted twice more. The draw seemed a fair result, but the Mangos will rue letting a 3-1 half time lead slip away.
A disappointing midweek 2-0 loss at nearby Roman Glass St George was followed by the postponement of the away trip to league leaders Worcester City, due to a waterlogged pitch.
That game will now be played on January 9, just three days after the reverse fixture at Cossham Street.
Despite poor weather the following week, the home league match v Westfields went ahead.
Jaydn Crosbie ran clear following a long through ball to slot home the opening goal of a tough game on 52 minutes.
While a second goal eluded the Mangos, the Hereford-based visitors always looked like getting one themselves and did on 90+4 minutes, after a defensive mix-up, to make it 1-1.
On November 15 the Mangos visited Gloucestershire County League leaders Avonmouth in a GFA Trophy tie, escaping with a hard-earned 3-2 victory.
The hosts built the game up big-time, saying it was the biggest they had staged for a long time.
Free admission meant an impressive attendance of 315 saw a cracking fixture.
The Dockers led 1-0 at half time, thanks to a 39th minute penalty for handball, but Mangotsfield rallied after the break, thanks to goals from Jaydn Crosbie (55) and Kyrese Morrison (61). Crosbie made it 3-1 with a penalty on 89 minutes but Avonmouth made it 3-2 seconds later to set up a really frantic finish in which they hit the bar. The Mangos stood firm to inflict only Avonmouth’s second competitive defeat in 18 months.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
November 28 Stonehouse Town (home) (Marsh Challenge Cup)
December 2 Lydney Town (H)
December 5 Roman Glass St George (H) (Floodlit Cup)
December 8 Longlevens (A)
December 16 Hereford Pegasus (H)
December 23 `Hereford Lads Club (A)
December 26 Corsham Town (A)
December 30 Cinderford Town (H)