MANGOTSFIELD United’s long run of away games, as work to replace their pitch continues apace, has started well.
The team has seven points from its first four matches of the season in the Hellenic League Premier Division – although the Mangos have already made an exit from the FA Cup.
An opening day defeat to Corsham Town, one of the early promotion favourites, saw Mangotsfield defender Micea Ilea give the visitors the lead in the third minute, scrambling the ball over the line after a free kick. But Corsham equalised in the 18th minute and went ahead in the 84th minute, with the Mangos denied an equaliser in added time by the home keeper.
Four days later Mangotsfield were knocked out of the FA Cup in the preliminary round by Royal Wootton Bassett Town, who went ahead in the 10th minute.
The Mangos equalised 11 minutes before half time after Michael Barry was fouled in the box and Will Ashton converted the resulting penalty.
Mangotsfield went behind in the second half, also losing captain Harley Purnell to injury and, despite hitting the crossbar near to full time, were unable to get an equaliser.
The team picked up their first points of the season away at Thornbury Town on August 6.
Level at half time despite plenty of possession, Mangotsfield finally took the lead just before the hour mark, when Jack Ball beat the offside trap and played in Will Ashton, who calmly slotted home.
James White doubled the lead in the 68th minute with a shot from 20 yards and new signing Joe Cattermole sealed the victory in the last minute of normal time, with a low shot into the corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Four days later the Mangos gained revenge for their FA Cup exit by beating Royal Wootton Bassett in a very competitive league match.
Man-of-the-match Jack Ball’s first-time strike from the edge of the area in the 37th minute proved to be the difference, with Bassett hitting the post in the second half as they piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
On August 13 Mangotsfield made Fairford Town drop their first points of the season.
An injury-hit Mangos competed well against strong opposition, with the first half ending goalless as Ball had an effort ruled out for offside and Ilea produced a goal-saving tackle to deny the hosts.
Fairford went ahead from a penalty awarded in the first minute of the second half, but Mangotsfield pressed hard and, in the 78th minute, Ball beat the offside trap to rifle home the equaliser.
The Mangos have six away league fixtures during September, with a home FA Vase fixture on September 21 to be played at a venue to be arranged.
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Work to install the club’s new artificial is progressing well and was ahead of schedule as the Voice went to print, with levelling work nearly finished and the new floodlight columns ready for testing.
The first team is due to complete all of its away league fixtures by mid-November.
Match details courtesy of Shaun Lecrass/Mangotsfield United