HIGHMOOR Ibis were knocked out of the FA Cup after suffering late heartbreak in their 2-1 home defeat to Brimscombe & Thrupp.

The hosts nearly took an eight-minute lead against their Hellenic League Premier Division rivals, defender Josh Jones trying to head a ball away for a corner only to see it ending up hitting the post.

And they took advantage of that let-off to move in front 10 minutes later, an excellent Ollie Pitt free-kick finding Kyle Pitts who made no mistake.

The hosts hit back, however, and levelled matters on the stroke of half time.

The in-form Jamie Piercy continued his impressive goal-scoring start to the season, breaking through the defence before poking the ball past ‘keeper Steve Sparrow.

The second half was full of chances for both sides and either team could have won the game, but it was Brimscombe who snatched it in the 90th minute.

With the clocking ticking down, a beautifully struck Jordan Yeo shot curled into the bottom corner of the Highmoor Ibis goal to seal the victory and send Brimscombe & Thrupp into the first qualifying round of the competition.

Fourth-placed Highmoor Ibis – who look set to lose midfielder Richard Witt to Bracknell Town – return to league action when they travel to Oxford City Nomads this Saturday (3pm).

  • A NEW-LOOK Woodley United side – with every player making their competitive debut – picked up a deserved 4-0 win at Rayners Lane in their Hellenic League Division One East opener on Saturday.

United started well and Greg Beckett tested Shane Gilsenan in the home goal from 20 yards inside the opening minute. At the other end, a dangerous cross from the left was cleared by Woodley full back Luke Turner.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when a superb Beckett cross from the left picked out Charlie Oakley who made no mistake from six yards. Looking for an immediate response Jordy Mumbiny missed to the right for the hosts.

On the half hour, Beckett had a great chance to double United’s lead when he found space in the Rayners Lane area. Receiving a pinpoint pass from Josh Drew, the Woodley forward took a touch before missing to the right.

The final chance of an entertaining half saw Reed pull off a tremendous point-blank save to thwart Bradley Morris. A crucial save to make sure United went in at the break ahead.

Woodley doubled their lead two minutes after the restart when Beckett found space on the left side of the box before coolly finishing with a low shot into the right corner.

Moments later Oakley was pulled back in the box and a penalty was awarded. Beckett stepped up and despite Gilsenan guessing right, the penalty was placed perfectly into the left corner.

United continued to create chances; a nice pass by Jake Nicholls released Oakley who forced Gilsenan into a save. Oakley then made the most of some sloppy defending to once more test Gilsenan with a powerful shot from a tight angle.

The home side was struggling to create anything in the final third; their best chance of a frustrating half came from a set piece. Jean Kima struck his free kick well enough but was denied by Reed who got down well to his right.

United were playing some superb football and in the move of the match Thomas picked up the ball just inside the Lane half before driving towards goal; letting Nicholls take over, he continued his run down the right and was picked out by a perfectly weighted through ball; the pacey wide man then set up Beckett who saw his fierce shot deflected behind.

Woodley completed the rout on 70 minutes when Nicholls played in Drew who outmuscled his marker and he smashed into the top left corner.

Woodley visit Chinnor on Monday (3pm)