MANGOTSFIELD United have returned to Cossham Street after half a season away from home – and hit the ground running.
The Mangos have won three out of their first four fixtures on the new artificial pitch.
Their last away game before the homecoming was a tough affair, a 0-0 draw away to Hellenic League leaders Hartpury University.
It was a battling point, with the Mangos playing the last 12 minutes with 10 men after picking up four yellow cards and one red (James White).
The first official home game of the season, with the new pitch ready to go, was a 2-0 win over a very determined Slimbridge side.
Watched by an amazing crowd of 367 – the club’s best home gate for several seasons – the returning Lewis Powell netted from close range on 35 minutes, with Jeffrey Barimah bagging a second on 69 minutes.
Veteran striker Powell, who scored 107 goals in 157 appearances during a previous stint with the Mangos, has continued where he left off following his surprise re-signing.
His first game back was the 5-0 win away at struggling Lydney Town, where he scored twice.
The Slimbridge game was never an easy win, though, and a late flurry almost got the visitors back into the game, but the hosts stood firm to record a historic first home win on the new 3G Cossham Street pitch.
Three days later, another big crowd (231) turned up at Cossham Street for the local derby against lowly Thornbury Town, but this was one of those occasions when the hosts never really got going.
Harvey Brock’s 50th minute goal for Thornbury earned the visitors three much-needed points, plus the accolade of being the first visiting team to win on the new pitch!
The following Saturday, however, the Mangos got back to winning ways again with a 2-1 home win over Gloucester outfit Longlevens.
Stuart Tovey (14) and Lewis Powell (16) gave the hosts a great start, but once Cameron Williams got one back for the visitors, it wasn’t easy for the Mangos. They held on for the 3 points, watched by another good home crowd of 301.
Three days later came an impressive 3-0 home win on a bitterly cold night over fellow play-off chasers Royal Wootton Bassett Town, who have often been a thorn in the Mangos’ side this past few seasons.
Goals from James White (13), George Neill (23) and Joe Cattermole (37) gave the Mangos a commanding half-time lead, which was too much for the visitors to come back from. The game was watched by a crowd of 211.
December 7’s scheduled home game against Pershore Town was one of many postponed for safety reasons due to Storm Darragh.
As the Voice went to press the Mangos were third in the league, amid a cluster of clubs all nine points behind leaders Hartpury University.
Dave Smale
Upcoming fixtures:
All at home, 3pm unless statedDecember 21 Sporting Club Inkberrow
December 28: Worcester Raiders
January 1: Westfields
January 4: Hartpury University
January 7: Roman Glass St George
January 11: Tuffley Rovers
January 18: Fairford Town