MANGOTSFIELD United’s reign as Hellenic League Cup holders is over after they were knocked out by local rivals Roman Glass St George.
The home defeat was typical of a very inconsistent month for the Mangos since the last edition of the Voice was published.
They began with a 3-0 away win at Tuffley Rovers.
James White put the visitors ahead after just 5 minutes, but it became a niggly game after that, with various bookings occurring along with a red card for Tuffley’s Yeshaya Lomote.
James Nunn and Jaydn Crosbie then added two stoppage time goals to make the win more comfortable for the Mangos.
Following the postponement of the midweek trip to Cinderford, the Mangos then slipped up 1-2 at Cossham Street against Pershore Town, the side they beat in the Hellenic League Cup Final last season.
The visitors were 2-0 ahead at the break against an out-of-sorts Mangotsfield and, although the hosts did get one back after the break through Jaydn Crosbie on 52 minutes, the visitors stood firm to clinch their “revenge” win.
Next up was the Marsh UHL Challenge Cup tie at home to Stonehouse Town, which ended with a comfortable 5-1 win for the Mangos on a bitterly cold night, with just 55 hardy souls in attendance. Jaydn Crosbie (13), Isaac Flynn (33) and Marcus Kelly (41) put the hosts 3-0 up at the break. Further goals by Luke Smith (67) & Will Ashton (88) completed the rout, although a consolation effort by Lewis Bainbridge spoiled the home side’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet.
Awful wet weather caused the inevitable cancellation of the next game, at home to Lydney Town, before the Mangos’ inconsistencies returned three days later with the 2-1 home defeat to Roman Glass St George that saw the holders exit the Hellenic League Cup.
Charlie Saunders put the visitors ahead on 36 minutes, and although Mangotsfield battled hard and finally levelled the scores with eight minutes to go, Rhys Sarson netted what proved to be the winning goal on 87 minutes.
The league match at Longlevens in Gloucester on December 8 will have to replayed, even though it was played beyond 90 minutes.
The Mangos were winning 1-0 but in the second minute of added time a serious injury to Longlevens player Bradley Martin saw the referee abandon the game – even at that late stage.
While results have been inconsistent, the main news for the club has come off the pitch, with South Gloucestershire Council granting planning permission for a new 3G all-weather Pitch at Cossham Street.
The proposal is a result of Mangotsfield United’s partnership with MUFC Juniors, MUFC Women, AFC Mangotsfield and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association, and part of work to improve the facilities and widen the use of the pitch at Cossham Street.
With the work expected to be completed during the 2024/25 season, further details as to how and when the changes will be completed, and where home games will take place, will be announced in due course.
Dave Smale
Upcoming fixtures:
December 26 Corsham Town (away)
December 30 Cinderford Town (home)
January 1 Worcester Raiders (A)
January 6 Worcester City (H)
January 9 Worcester City (A, re-arranged fixture)
January 13 Westfields (A)
January 20 Tuffley Rovers (H)
January 24 Roman Glass St George (A) (Marsh Challenge Cup)
January 26 Pershore Town (A)