Frampton United will play runaway County League leaders Thornbury Town in the Les James Cup final, after defeating Stonehouse Town 2-1.

The game was played at Frampton due to the Stonehouse Town ground at Oldends Lane being waterlogged, and 91 spectators looked on on a fine spring afternoon.

Frampton came fast out of the blocks and Lewis Wilton went close after just three minutes.

But three minutes later Stonehouse were ahead following their first attack. They were awarded a free-kick on the left which was headed goalwards by Lewis Fogg. Frampton keeper James Marklove missed the ball and the ball found itself in the back of the net.

Within four minutes Frampton were level, however, when a corner taken by Manolo Espada was adjudged to have crossed the line by the assistant referee.

It was action-packed start to the game as Kris Bulley cleared a Stonehouse effort off the line following a corner, and play went straight down the other end where Stonehouse keeper Adam Clarke saved with his legs from Manolo Espada.

It was proper cup-tie stuff.

Bulley had a chance one-on-one with Clarke but the opportunity went, while soon after Clarke almost gifted Frampton the lead when he left his area to make a tackle, but the resulting threat was cleared.

Most of the action up to half time took place in the Frampton half, but it was Frampton who got their noses in front soon after the break when Wilton netted following Liam O’Neill’s free-kick.

There was plenty of huffing and puffing for the remainder of the game but it was Frampton who pulled through.

Thornbury, meanwhile, booked their place with a 1-0 win over Gala-Wilton.

Gala made it very tough for Thornbury, and although goalkeeper Dan Brabham was forced to make an early save, they could have gone ahead in the 14th minute when striker Ryan Dobbins latched on to a long ball.

He broke into the box and unleashed a shot across goal which, luckily for Thornbury, hit the post and was cleared. Gala had another good chance on 26 minutes as a cross from the left to the far post almost reached the incoming Jack Jeremiah, but a defender just managed to deflect it out for a corner.

Three minutes before half-time, however, Thornbury were ahead when Marcus Wormwell’s cross was headed home by Craig Lancastle.

Mark Mason did have a chance for Gala but his shot went past a post, and it was Gala keeper Brabham who was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers.

And he kept his side in the game 14 minutes from time when he pulled off a fine penalty save to deny Lancastle. Unfortunately for Gala, it was not enough to get them through to the final.

Broadwell Amateurs moved back into third place in the County League with a 1-0 victory over Little Stoke.

Little Stoke, who are just below halfway in the table, adapted to the conditions very well and played some good attractive football, but never really troubled the home side once they reached the edge of the 18-yard box.

The visitors’ Amin Jones pulled off a great save on 10 minutes to deny Harry Williams, but then on 25 minutes a sloppy back pass by a Stoke defender allowed Harry Williams to pick up the loose ball and lift it over Jones, who was stranded on the edge of the 18-yard box.

In the second half, the visitors pushed hard to try and level the score, but the home defence was defiant with Greg Lewis at the top of his game. In the last five minutes both Harry Williams and Liam Thomas missed good chances to increase the lead.

Broadwell trail Thornbury by 13 points but have played four games fewer, so they still have all to play for.

Second-placed Lebeq United moved to within 10 points of Thornbury with a game in hand, with a slender 1-0 win at home to Ruardean Hill Rangers.

Rangers keeper Steve Bowles brought off a great save to deny Cameron Brown after 25 minutes, while at the other end Danny Brain was put clear on goal, but his shot was well saved by the home keeper.

The home side did eventually get on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute when Sheldon Sawyer’s cross was headed in by Nathan Hall. The home side continued to press throughout the second half, but some fine goalkeeping and some stout defending by the Rangers defence kept them out.