Brimscombe & Thrupp battled to a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Alcester on Saturday, Tim Bond’s side moving up to fifth in a tightly-contested Hellenic League Division One West league table.
The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when James Piatek’s curling corner was met at the far post by skipper Lewis Toop. His header caused chaos in the six-yard box, and Ben Saunders, under heavy pressure, forced the ball in off the underside of the bar for his third goal of the season.
Brimmy had to make an early change when goalkeeper Travis Wood was injured after bravely denying visiting striker Judge. Substitute keeper Ant Brown impressed, making several key stops — most notably in the 38th minute when he somehow forced an Alcester striker to fire wide from a yard out.
After weathering that storm, Brimscombe grew into the game. Toop, Callum Blackford and Dan Gayner all went close, while Jake Love caused problems on both wings before filling in well at full back. A Gayner effort was later ruled offside, and Brown preserved the lead with two excellent saves in the closing stages.
Alcester skipper Jake Wickett’s long throws were their main weapon, but they ran out of steam late on, finishing with ten men after Aaron Xavier was dismissed for a second yellow card.
The win was celebrated alongside good news from the Reserves, who picked up their first points of the season with a 3–2 victory at Siddington.
Next fixtures:
- Tuesday 6.45pm: Reserves vs Hardwicke Reserves (The Meadow)
- Saturday: First team away at Carterton, before three successive home matches.
Brimscombe squad: Wood (Brown 12), Jones (Yarmolenko 73), Clinton, Toop, Marks, Saunders, Griffiths, Piatek (Hall 92), Gayner (Jeffries 87), Blackford, Love.
