Smith bags three and McKinnon stars as Swans’ thump Thrupp to continue playoff charge
Slimbridge boosted their playoff chances by hammering local rivals Brimscombe & Thrupp 6-2 at Thornhill Park on Wednesday night, writes Sam Yapp.
The Swans moved up to 4th in the Hellenic League Premier with a huge three points whilst also extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Thrupp made it seven games without a win during their second of three games this week and conceded their 11th goal in just two games.
But Thrupp had an opening minute lead when Ollie Pitt dispatched a spot kick into the bottom left corner after Jayden Stratford was brought down by a clumsy challenge.
Jack Smith got the Swans level on 32 minutes with a poachers finish when he stuck out a boot to divert a scuffed Rudi McKinnon attempt goalward from close range.
But McKinnon hit his next attempt superbly striking a dipping free kick from almost 30-yards past the Thrupp ‘keeper to turn the game around after 40 minutes.
Smith doubled his tally just five minutes into the second half when a fantastic first touch from a McKinnon cross allowed him to role the ball into the bottom corner.
Thrupp’s nightmare start to the second period continued as George Neill picked out the bottom corner from distance three minutes later.
And two minutes on Smith completed his hat-trick with a sliding finish to meet a low Theo Clayson cross putting the game well out of reach of Thrupp.
Pitt did find a second goal for Thrupp again from the spot on 67 minutes after Stratford was brought down by a lunging Charlie Hitchings.
But the Swans capped off their display when debutant and under 18’s captain, Will Tainton turned a McKinnon cross home from close range on 86 minutes.
Slimbridge are back in action next Wednesday with their penultimate fixture as they welcome Mangotsfield United to Thornhill Park.
Thrupp have no time to rest as they face off with Pershore Town on Saturday at The Meadow.
Slimbridge: Holder (GK), Clayson (79’), Prictor (87’), M. Turner ©, Hitchings, Mara, McKinnon, Smith (62’), Neill (73’), Blackie, Mbunga
Subs: Morgan (62’), Bennett (79’), Tainton (73’), Hawes, Dennis (87’)
Brimbscombe & Thrupp: Schofield (GK), Deakin, Jones (87’), Simpson, Ponting, Stratford, J. Welch © (83’), Harper (73’), H. Price (87’), Pitt (87’)
Subs: Freeman (73’), A. Price (83’), Potter (87’), M. Welch (87’), Aitkenhead (87’)
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Rudi McKinnon (Slimbridge)
