Brimscombe & Thrupp 3

Fairford Town 1

TWO goals from Jack Smith helped condemn Fairford Town to defeat at Brimscombe & Thrupp on Monday evening, with Lee Smith missing a second-half penalty for the visitors at the Meadow, writes Chris Tanner.

The home side made a fast start with Smith opening the scoring on eight minutes. He weaved through several attempted challenges before dispatching the ball past Matt Bath in the away goal.

Ollie Pitt almost doubled the advantage soon after but his left-footed effort fizzed wide.

The Reds restored parity on 16 minutes with a powerful header from Ben Saunders creeping over the line through a sea of bodies.

Josh Gregory prevented a Brimscombe second when he cleared a powerful Chris Pates header off the line on the half hour. Smith then headed narrowly wide as the home side continued to search for a second.

Fairford were forced into a half-time change with on loan left-back Kallum Thomas forced off with injury, with Dan Reynolds on in his place.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the game with a 54th minute penalty award. After Dan Bailey had been upended in the box, top scorer Lee Smith saw his effort clip the top of the crossbar and away to safety.

Brimscombe were awarded a penalty of their own before the hour - with Nathan Hawkins adjudged to have committed a foul despite clearly winning the ball - with Ollie Pitt sending Matt Bath the wrong way for the spot.

The home side wrapped up the win with a 65th minute strike from Smith, his second of the night, sealing the victory.