A DEFEAT at Tuffley Rovers brought to an end Mangotsfield United’s unbeaten league run, which had stretched back to August.
The run had been all the more remarkable given that the Mangos have been playing all their fixtures away, while their new 3G pitch has been under construction.
Maybe the toll of being the visiting side constantly for three months was bound to affect things in the end, and the two games leading up to the 1-0 loss had been draws.
Having said that, the team then bounced back with a thumping 5-0 win over strugglers Lydney, and was still handily placed in in seventh spot in the Hellenic League table as the Voice went to print, with games in hand on all the teams above them.
The match at Worcester Raiders on October 19 ended 2-2.
In a lively affair, George Neill (38 minutes) and Mircea Llea (77) netted the Mangos’ goals, while Adam Hanson and Daniel Reka scored for the hosts.
Another draw, this time 0-0, followed a week later at Hereford outfit Westfields.
It was another hard-fought affair, where neither side gave much away and a draw seemed the fairest outcome.
With a weekend off in early November, the Mangos returned to action at Tuffley Rovers and it was there that the long unbeaten league run came to an end.
The only goal in the 1-0 defeat came in the second half from Connor Walters. It had to happen sooner or later!
The Mangos got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion on November 16 with a 5-0 at Lydney.
Michael Barry put the visitors 1-0 up in the first half, slotting in a pass across the box from George Neill.
In the second half the floodgates opened and Mircea Ilea put the Mangos 2-0 up on 51 minutes, heading in a corner from Harley Purnell, before three goals from substitutes in the last half hour.
James White’s deflected shot on 66 minutes made it 3-0 before prolific striker Lewis Powell scored twice, in the 70th and 85th minutes, on his return to the club.
With the pitch and associated infrastructure ready for the return to Cossham Street, the second half of the season holds a great deal of promise for the Mangos.
Dave Smale
Upcoming fixtures
(3pm unless stated):
November 23: Slimbridge (H)
November 26: Thornbury Town (H – 7.45pm)
November 30: Longlevens (H)
December 3: Royal Wotton Bassett Town (H – 7.45pm)
December 7: Pershore Town (H)
December 14: Hereford Pegasus (H)
December 18: Bristol City (GFA Trophy, A – 7.30pm)
December 21: Sporting Club Inkberrow (H)
December 28: Worcester Raiders (H)