It's been some time since the Old Thorns 2nd team turned up for a game without a win in three matches but that was the situation the team found themselves visiting Fulham Compton Old Boys. A particularly heavy night for gaffer Nathan Gillighan saw skipper Dan Leach and club captain Sam Beard forced to take the reigns for what was a must win game for the Thorns. Fortunately for them their job was made easy through a committed effort by a highly motivated squad of players that saw the blues walk away easy 2-nil winners.

The Old Thorns started the game with rare luxury of having a sub keeper and what a week to have that luxury. Just 2 minutes in the Old Thorn's starting keeper twisted his ankle forcing the change and replacement Frazier Coxhill being put between the sticks.

Despite the match being particularly one-sided it was the home side that made the best chance of the first 15 minutes. A through ball by the Fulham midfield put their number 9 through for a one and one but some resolute defending by Zee Man and a last ditch tackle by Leach ensured their clean sheet remained intact.

It didn't take long for the Old Thorns team to take control of the game and take control they did. Refusing to resort to the long ball game, the blues were patient and ensured possession was the number one priority in their hunt for all three points. 30 minutes in they got their reward in stunning fashion. A bullet header from Phil Kay rebounded off a flailing Fulham keeper to Sam Beard on the edge of the 18 yard box, just one touch and the volley launched the ball over the hapless keeper, off the cross bar and into the back of the net...

….one nil to the away side!

From there, Old Thorn's dominated and some excellent work by the front two of Cook and Francis supported by the two wing men could have resulted in another couple before the end of the first 45 but the final finish was just lacking. But, they entered the changing rooms at half time comfortably up.

Changes were made at half time with new signing Femi Soile coming on for Chris Mumford who had put in yet another confident and solid performance. This moved Leach into midfield alongside Beard with a view to close the game down early.

The game opened up with the home side looking for an equaliser but it was the Old Thorns that looked more likely to double their lead. The Fulham posts and crossbar took an absolute battering as the Old Thorns continued to pass it around their opponents. It was sweet irony then that the second goal came as the result of some route one play. A Phil Kay free kick from this own half was aimed towards Cook and despite playing with just one eye he beat his marker to the ball and scored a beautiful backwards header from 20 yards out, lobbing the Fulham keeper who was in no-mans-land.

By the end of the 90 the Old Thorn could have added to their lead a number of times but a resilient Fulham defence remained strong and kept the scoreline at a respectable level. Tireless winger Simon Suarez came closest with the goal at his mercy from just 2 yards, unfortunately for the lad he wasn't rewarded for his hard work throughout the game as a horrible last-minute bobble saw his shot loop over the bar.

But as it was, the Old Thorns made their win look more comfortable than it should have been with some lovely football, persistence and hard work.

Old Thorns 2 – 0 Fulham Compton Old Boys