HIGHMOOR Ibis returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory away to Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Premier Division, writes Dave Wright.

“It was a great team performance as we were very short of players with nine missing,” said player-manager Marcus Richardson.

“Brimscombe is always a tricky place to go to and we showed true character to get the result.”

Highmoor, without a win in their five previous league and cup games, took a 14th-minute lead on Saturday when Dwayne Coultress scored from the penalty spot.

Twelve minutes later it was 2-0 with Sanchez Commock heading home a free-kick.

The Gloucestershire side upped the tempo in the second and and Karl Nash headed against the crossbar before they pulled a goal back on 70 minutes. Jack Smith’s shot was blocked but Sam Blackie was on hand to knock in the rebound.

Four minutes later the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Kyle Pitts received a second yellow card.

Highmoor put the issue beyond doubt just before the final whistle when they were awarded their second penalty and this time Sam Bangura made no mistake.

Richardson commented: “We controlled the game generally, but we did have a tricky 10 minutes after they had scored.

“But they had a man sent off and we got through to get the result we deserved.”

Highmoor, who are 15th in the table, are home to fifth-placed Wantage this Saturday and then host bottom club Burnham at Rivermoor next Monday evening.

  • MICHAEL Herbert left Woodley United via mutual consent following their 1-0 home defeat to Flackwell Heath in the Premier Division on Monday.

He was Woodley’s most successful ever manager, having last season guided the club to promotion and winning the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup.

Coach Spencer Meredith is also moving on, with James Anderson promoted to the main role.

Herbert said: “I have had a really enjoyable time at Woodley and would like to say thank you to the club and especially the players and the management team for what has been a special past 18 months.

"Unfortunately mine and the club's ambitions were not aligned and now seemed a good a time as any to let the club prosper with someone else in charge. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all at the club the very best for the future.”

Woodley chairman Colom Moon added: “It has been a fantastic privilege for us to have had Michael at the club and what he achieved last season was both unprecedented and unexpected."

Woodley United visit Ascot United on Saturday (3pm), and Wantage Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).