A HECTIC four weeks for Mangotsfield United saw the side take Southern League Premier South side Gloucester City to an FA Cup replay and chalk up three league wins.
The Mangos also won through two preliminary rounds to make the First Round proper of the FA Vase.
A 2-0 home league win against struggling near-neighbours Hallen saw Curtis Jay Jemmett-Hutson score in each half, having opened his account three days earlier at Kintbury Rangers in the FA Vase.
Four days later Thatcham Town were the visitors to Cossham Street in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.
The Combined Counties Football League side were held up in traffic on the journey along the M4 from Berkshire, and it may have affected them as they went down 3-0.
Owen Pritchard netted the first goal on 6 minutes and Harlee Vozza made it 2-0 before the break. Thatcham kept plugging away but to no avail: a late goal by Owen Pritchard sent Mangotsfield supporters home buzzing.
On August Bank Holiday Saturday the Mangos beat Hereford outfit Westfields 4-1 in the league. The score was 1-1 at the break, but a strong second-half display and some clinical finishing ensured the points stayed at Cossham Street, even though Westfields looked a very useful side. Mangotsfield’s goals came from Vozza, Pritchard, Mohammed Djalo and debutant Ricardo Thompson.
Two days later, a penalty scored by James Corey Horrocks with just 10 minutes left was enough to win a hard encounter at Malmesbury Victoria, 1-0.
The following Saturday the Mangos travelled to Gloucester City as complete underdogs in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.
They came away with a 1-1 draw after a valiant performance, with keeper Ellis Parker playing an absolute blinder all game. The hosts led 1-0 at the break, but Horrocks’ leveller on 53 minutes ensured the Mangos battled out a deserved draw.
The replay three days later at Cossham Street was played in front of an amazing 601 spectators.
This time the result reflected the visitors’ higher status: the Tigers tore into the Mangos right from the start and led 3-0 at the break, adding a further goal after half-time.
However, the Mangos players deserved every bit of praise going for taking a side two levels higher to a replay.
Mangotsfield were back on song on September 12 with a 3-0 FA Vase win at Combined Counties League club Eversley & California – a side they had never played before.
On a difficult pitch, Archie Morris (37), Francis McKay (75) & Ricardo Thompson (90) got the goals.
Three days later, the Mangos entertained Hellenic League leaders Corsham Town and bagged a deserved 2-2 draw.
Morris put the hosts ahead on 4 minutes, but Corsham regrouped and levelled through Mangos old boy Kye Simpson (26). A superb free kick then put the visitors in front and it seemed the Mangos were going to fall short, as Corsham were not giving an inch.
However, a 40-yard free kick from George Fowler on 87 minutes sailed over everyone’s heads, including the Corsham keeper’s, to give the Mangos an unexpected but deserved point.
Dave Smale
Upcoming fixtures:
September 26: Roman Glass St George (away)
October 3: Thornbury Town (home)
October 10: Fleetlands (FA Vase – H)
October 13: Hallen (A)
October 17: Cirencester Town (H)
October 24: Tuffley Rovers (A)
October 31: Bradford Town (A)