Harper inspires Brimscombe to get back to winning ways with win over Cinderford
Liam Harper put in a Man of the Match display to inspire his Brimscombe & Thrupp side to a 3-1 victory in a very entertaining all-Gloucestershire derby against Cinderford Town.
Harper scored the crucial second goal before Harlie Price’s injury time effort clinched Brimscombe’s first league win since the middle of January.
Earlier on Adam Davies’ cross had caught out Lilywhites keeper, Jordan Schofield, to put the Foresters ahead – before Davies unfortunately slid a cross home into his own net.
The win keeps Brimscombe’s unlikely play-off push simmering, whilst dents Cinderford’s aspirations – although they look set to have their fate in their own hands.
All of the action came after a goalless first half, which saw Jack Hughes’ volley well saved by Cinderford keeper, Lewis Adams, the best chance of a highly competitive opening 45 minutes.
But it didn’t take too long after the restart for the opener to come, as full back Davies whipped a cross in from the right.
The ball looped over Jordan Schofield, hit the post and rolled in off the keeper’s back to give the Foresters a lead they just about deserved at the time.
Brimscombe reacted instantly, with Davies the unfortunate man at the wrong end. After the ball was drilled across goal, Davies had to try to slide in or Harlie Price had a tap – however he could only divert the ball into the net.
From about the hour mark, Cinderford took near complete control of the contest.
Crosses, corners, free kicks all flew into the Brimscombe box, but the Lilywhites stood as firm as they could.
Dan Barnard had a goalbound header cleared off the line, before Blaine Waugh somehow fired wide from about 4 yards, following a cut back from substitute Kerry Morgan.
Ben Vine, who was very impressive on the night, then headed wide from another dangerous corner.
As the game trickled into the final 10 minutes, both sides were locked at 1-1 and the players looked tense.
Cinderford committed bodies forward, but with their first chance to get the ball forward for a while, the hosts struck the hammer blow.
Jack Hughes flicked on a ball forward and it fell perfectly for Harper to take a touch and fire home from the edge of the box.
Cinderford were stunned, but kept peppering the Brimscombe box, although Ryan Ponting and Eli Simpson threw themselves in the way of everything.
Harper beat the offside trap in stoppage time and after Adams denied him in the one on one, Brimscombe had the ball in the corner.
When Cinderford were able to finally retrieve it, Adams scuffed his clearance straight to Price, who slammed home from 18 yards to seal the deal for Sam Prior’s men.
Both sides will have a busy end to the season, needing to play 14 and and 10 games within the next six weeks or so – starting with home games this weekend.
Brimscombe welcome Thornbury Town to the Meadow, whilst Cinderford host Worcester Raiders at the Causeway.
Brimscombe & Thrupp: Schofield, Pitt, J Jones, Turner, Simpson, Ponting, Freeman, J Welch, Hughes, Price, Harper
Subs: Potter, M Welch, Stratford, Prior, G Jones
Cinderford Town: Adams, Davies, Binns, Vine, Barnard, Evans, Hayes, Watkins, Norman, Stokes, Waugh
Subs: Skidmore, Morgan, Jones, Ascencau, Blakesley
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Liam Harper (Brimscombe & Thrupp)
