MANGOTSFIELD United’s season has tailed off to a disappointing mid-table finish.
Recent results included a run of five draws in a row, followed by two heavy away defeats that saw the Mangos finish 13th in the Hellenic Premier League.
It was a very disappointing campaign: the club reached the play-offs last year and had aimed to mount another promotion challenge when the season kicked off.
First of the run of draws was a visit from promotion-chasing Corsham Town.
The Mangos led 2-1 at the break, thanks to goals from Archie Morris (9) and Lewis Powell (31). Nick McCootie – often a thorn in the Mangos’ side down the years – levelled twice for a good Corsham side, who ended the season one place outside the play-offs.
Three days later there was another 2-2 home draw, this time against Hereford Pegasus.
Again, the Mangos led twice, courtesy of Lewis Powell (22 and 61), and twice the Hereford outfit pegged them back.
The following weekend saw another draw, this time 1-1 away at promotion-chasing Worcester Raiders.
This was a battling performance by the Mangos, with Lewis Powell netting five minutes before the break. Worcester levelled in the second half but the Mangos stood firm to claim a well-earned point, with the hosts going all-out for the winner to boost their play-off challenge (they finished the season in fifth).
Next up was a third 2-2 home draw, this time on Easter Saturday against Royal Wotton Bassett Town. The visitors scored both their goals in the first 20 minutes, with Finlay Harper getting one for the Mangos in between. Charlie Warren finally levelled for the Mangos on 76 minutes, but it was another two home points dropped.
The Mangos final home game of the season on Easter Monday also ended in a disappointing draw, this time 1-1 against relegation-threatened Thornbury Town.
Aran Wong netted for the Mangos just before half-time but they could not build on the lead, and Thornbury equalised with 10 minutes to go.
The run of draws came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at Hereford-based Westfields, a day to forget for the Mangos. The hosts were 2-0 up within 25 minutes and wrapped things up in the 82nd.
The final match was away at Droitwich Spa, who were already assured of third place before kick-off.
Mangotsfield kept the hosts out for nearly half an hour but were 2-0 down by half-time, and Droitwich scored another two in the second half to make the final score 4-0.
One thing that has dogged Mangotsfield down the years has been failing to make home advantage count. That seems even more the case now, with visiting teams sometimes upping their game on the club’s artificial pitch, and it is clear that too many points were dropped at home this season.
Manager Ollie Price will no doubt be looking at this issue in particular as he looks to rebuild for another promotion push next season, having already had to re-shape the squad following various departures.
The club is already one of the best-supported clubs in the Hellenic League, and a return to Southern League football is a must.
Dave Smale