Thornwell 6-2 Monmouth Town U13s

With a depleted side of only nine players, the Under 13s visited Thornwell last Sunday (7th October), which has proven to be tough game in previous seasons, and this visit was no different.

Thornwell started strongly, full of the confidence that two extra players brings to any side, but the Monmouth team stuck to their tasks and it was 20 minutes into the first half when Joe Pemberton broke free on a lone run and looked to put Monmouth ahead only to shoot inches wide of the far post.

Thornwell struggled to break down a well-organised Monmouth who at times played much the better football, and with Thornwell now resorting to shooting from distance, eventually though the extra numbers began to tell and towards the end of the first half Thornwell rocked the Monmouth side with four goals in quick order, and the Monmouth team were glad to hear the half-time whistle.

The second half was a different story, with the Monmouth Team looking renewed and full of spirit, the back four (Lewis Griffin, Mellissa Brooks, Cameron Harris and Ted Heyes) stood resolute and now looked to release the ball forward through Tom Walker and Henry Williams as they switched from defence to attack, and started to play some quality football, Ted Heyes pushing forward to finish a move he had started with his first goal in a Monmouth shirt.

Within minutes of the restart Joe Pemberton made a surging run down the right and hammered home a thundering shot making the score 4-2 and Thornwell looked to be a little worried.

Eventually, though, the Monmouth team began to tire again, and with the introduction of three sets of fresh legs from the Thornwell side, the inevitable onslaught on the Monmouth goal resumed with the Town team struggling to get the ball to lone striker Conner Roberts, who was constantly faced with three defenders close by.

Charlie Cooke in goal made a number of finger tip saves to keep the score down, but Thornwell eventually ran out 6-2 winners. The Monmouth team to a man (and girl) put in a performance to be proud of.

The weekend was no easier for Monmouth's Under 16 side, who went down 8-1 to Mardy, and the Under 12s, who lost 9-0 at Garden City.