MANGOTSFIELD United’s strong start to the season hit the buffers when they were only able to gain a point in a 2-2 draw at lowly Lydney Town.
It was a game they had been strongly tipped to win. George Neill (25) and Mircea Llea (53) bagged the Mangos goals, but strikes from Kyle Gibbs and Declan Morley-Lyne earned the hosts an unexpected, deserved point.
Next up was an FA Vase trip over to South Bristol to face Hengrove Athletic.
The Mangos certainly left it late to win this one.
Following an out-of-sorts team display that saw them go a goal behind, Mercea Llea levelled on 82 minutes then, deep into stoppage time, Kyrese Morrison bagged the winner to break home hearts.
The result gave the Mangos a home tie with fellow Hellenic League side Cirencester Town in the next round.
Back in the league, neighbours Roman Glass St George have been a bit of a bogey side in recent years, and that’s how it proved to be once again. On their latest visit Mangos were beaten 2-0, with both the hosts’ goals coming in the opening 20 minutes.
After two wins in the competition Mangotsfield’s FA Cup run came to an end in their third tie in a month.
Southern League Banbury United were 1-0 winners at Cossham Street in front of a gate of 408. The only goal was a 41st-minute penalty, but the Mangos battled well all through the game.
They created some good chances and defended well, too, but found their higher-level opponents a tough nut to crack.
Three days later, the Mangos bounced back to winning ways with a big, big 2-0 win at Royal Wootton Bassett Town.
The game was decided by a goal in each half, despite the hosts creating a lot of chances and pressure. Spike Weaver bagged the first goal on 25 minutes when he headed home a cross from Jeremy Barimah, and the second goal came on the hour, when home defender Noah Cranswick-Coates turned a cross into his own net, whilst under pressure.
This gave Mangotsfield a real boost as they went into the following Saturday’s game at Cirencester Town but in truth, they never really got going and Cirencester ran out 2-0 winners.
A scrappy 0-0 draw away at Cinderford Town was best looked at as a point gained, in a game of few chances.
The result left the Mangos in mid-table but with the top teams not too far ahead of them, and still a lot of the season still to go to mount that promotion challenge!
Dave Smale
Upcoming fixtures:
September 27: Worcester Raiders (home)
October 4: Thornbury Town (away)
October 11: Pershore Town (H)
October 18: Corsham Town (A)
October 25: Cribbs FC (H)