Ten months on since BotP's first game of the season, I was back at the Dog & Duck on Tuesday evening, the same location as that first game back in July 2023 (Paddy's Piledriver Sinks Double Red Daventry). This evening's fare was the Northamptonshire FA Lower Junior Cup Final between Brixworth All Saints and Thrapston Venturas. It would be my first chance to see All Saints play and, although I visited Thrapston Town some time ago, the first time I had seen the town's latest footballing incarnation, Venturas.
Thrapston finished third in the Northants Combination Division 1 table, ten points behind second placed Wootton St George and twelve adrift of AFC Towcester. However, after promotion from Division 2 in 2022, steady improvement was being shown each season. Brixworth won Division Two this season and will be league-mates of Thrapston. Their last meetings in the league, during Thrapston's promotion season, both went very much in favour of Venturas, 6-1 at Brixworth and 8-0 at Chancery Lane where Brixworth had Josh Fitzgerald sent off.
Brixworth have the edge as far as previous Lower Junior Cup victories are concerned, although both previous wins came some time ago. They first won it in the 1935-26 season and followed that up with another victory in the 1954-55 campaign. Venturas, meanwhile, can only boast a win for their reserve side in the 1977-78 season.
This season's campaign began with a bye for Brixworth whilst Venturas were winning 7-0 at Corby Locos Reserves. In Round Two Venturas were awarded an away win at Middleton Cheney. Brixworth required a 3-0 penalty shootout to get past Wittering Premiar Reserves after a 2-2 draw. The Third Round saw Venturas clock up a 6-3 win at Woodford Wolves whilst Brixworth were edging past Moulton Reserves with a 3-2 score line. On to the Quarter-Finals. Brixworth saw off West Haddon Albion 3-1 away from home. Towcester had a very good 4-0 win over AFC Towcester. In the semi-finals Venturas won 2-0 at Stanwick Rovers but Brixworth's 2-1 defeat of Wootton St George was the standout result.
With the majority of the fairly sizeable crowd either in the main stand, under the standing cover, or huddled under umbrellas on the patio in front of the clubhouse, the game got under way in less than seasonal weather. Thrapston in their blue and yellow kit and Brixworth in their red and black stripes, kicking towards the River Nene end in the first half.
Thrapston finished third in the Northants Combination Division 1 table, ten points behind second placed Wootton St George and twelve adrift of AFC Towcester. However, after promotion from Division 2 in 2022, steady improvement was being shown each season. Brixworth won Division Two this season and will be league-mates of Thrapston. Their last meetings in the league, during Thrapston's promotion season, both went very much in favour of Venturas, 6-1 at Brixworth and 8-0 at Chancery Lane where Brixworth had Josh Fitzgerald sent off.
Brixworth have the edge as far as previous Lower Junior Cup victories are concerned, although both previous wins came some time ago. They first won it in the 1935-26 season and followed that up with another victory in the 1954-55 campaign. Venturas, meanwhile, can only boast a win for their reserve side in the 1977-78 season.
This season's campaign began with a bye for Brixworth whilst Venturas were winning 7-0 at Corby Locos Reserves. In Round Two Venturas were awarded an away win at Middleton Cheney. Brixworth required a 3-0 penalty shootout to get past Wittering Premiar Reserves after a 2-2 draw. The Third Round saw Venturas clock up a 6-3 win at Woodford Wolves whilst Brixworth were edging past Moulton Reserves with a 3-2 score line. On to the Quarter-Finals. Brixworth saw off West Haddon Albion 3-1 away from home. Towcester had a very good 4-0 win over AFC Towcester. In the semi-finals Venturas won 2-0 at Stanwick Rovers but Brixworth's 2-1 defeat of Wootton St George was the standout result.
With the majority of the fairly sizeable crowd either in the main stand, under the standing cover, or huddled under umbrellas on the patio in front of the clubhouse, the game got under way in less than seasonal weather. Thrapston in their blue and yellow kit and Brixworth in their red and black stripes, kicking towards the River Nene end in the first half.
Alfie Pendred from the spot It was Thrapston who were first to show, Jacob Borisuth raiding down the left flank in the 4th minute before delivering a cross that Alfie Burton headed wide of the far post. Two minutes later Burton was on hand again, this tine striking a fierce drive from the edge of the area that was bravely blocked by a defender. Venturas continued their early pressure with a Pete Beverly effort that was deflected wide for a corner before, on 11 minutes, they made the breakthrough. Brixworth goalkeeper Tom Jones skied an attempted clearance and when Alfie Pendred attempted to collect the loose ball he was bundled over by a combination of goalkeeper and defender. Penalty awarded. Pendred picked himself up before sending Jones the wrong way to put Thrapston in front. 0-1
Already on top, the goal sent a surge of confidence through the Venturas team and they set about driving home their advantage. It didn't take long. Five minutes after taking the lead they were two up. Great work down the right side from Alfie Burton, who delivered a low, hard cross that was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Rick Kimble. 0-2.
Brixworth were shell-shocked and Thrapston were in no mood to take their foot off the gas. Barely another five minutes had passed when Pendred's driven cross was powerfully headed in at the near post by Ryan Caller. 0-3. Venturas were rampant at this point.
Credit to Brixworth that the next opportunity, in the 24th minute, fell to them, when Fitzgerald's long-range free-kick was palmed over the bar by Sam Cobley, the first time the Venturas keeper had been called into action. However, they were soon feeling the wrath of Thrapston again as, almost immediately, the ball was fed to Alfie Pendred on the halfway line, he turned, knocked the ball past his marker, turned on the afterburners, outstripping the defence before finishing deftly past Jones. 0-4 with less than 30 minutes played. It was all too easy for Thrapston. Only 28 minutes were showing on the clock when Pendred, picking the ball up in midfield, slid a precision pass between centre-back and full-back for Alfie Burton to run onto and slide past the advancing goalkeeper. 0-5
With fifteen minutes to go before the break, the game had already slipped away from Brixworth. Thankfully for them, although the rain was still hammering down, the goals had dried up a little, for now.
Without particularly threatening the Venturas goal, Brixworth did manage to stave off any further waves of blue shirts for the next 10 minutes or so. With four minutes to go until the break Thrapston did come close again after a cross was fumbled by Jones, dropping to the feet of Burton on the edge of the box. However, the Venturas player could only lift his attempted lob over the bar.
It wasn't then end of the scoring though. A minute later a left-wing Thrapston corner was flicked on before being blocked near the front post. Unfortunately for All Saints, Matt Harris was lurking to hook the loose ball into the net. 0-6
That still left time for Jones to save well from Burton before the referee drew a close to the half.
HT Brixworth All Saints 0 Thrapston Venturas 6. Brixworth had no answer to a relentless and ruthless Thrapston display. There's no way back, just a case of trying to save some face in the second half for Brixworth.
Already on top, the goal sent a surge of confidence through the Venturas team and they set about driving home their advantage. It didn't take long. Five minutes after taking the lead they were two up. Great work down the right side from Alfie Burton, who delivered a low, hard cross that was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Rick Kimble. 0-2.
Brixworth were shell-shocked and Thrapston were in no mood to take their foot off the gas. Barely another five minutes had passed when Pendred's driven cross was powerfully headed in at the near post by Ryan Caller. 0-3. Venturas were rampant at this point.
Credit to Brixworth that the next opportunity, in the 24th minute, fell to them, when Fitzgerald's long-range free-kick was palmed over the bar by Sam Cobley, the first time the Venturas keeper had been called into action. However, they were soon feeling the wrath of Thrapston again as, almost immediately, the ball was fed to Alfie Pendred on the halfway line, he turned, knocked the ball past his marker, turned on the afterburners, outstripping the defence before finishing deftly past Jones. 0-4 with less than 30 minutes played. It was all too easy for Thrapston. Only 28 minutes were showing on the clock when Pendred, picking the ball up in midfield, slid a precision pass between centre-back and full-back for Alfie Burton to run onto and slide past the advancing goalkeeper. 0-5
With fifteen minutes to go before the break, the game had already slipped away from Brixworth. Thankfully for them, although the rain was still hammering down, the goals had dried up a little, for now.
Without particularly threatening the Venturas goal, Brixworth did manage to stave off any further waves of blue shirts for the next 10 minutes or so. With four minutes to go until the break Thrapston did come close again after a cross was fumbled by Jones, dropping to the feet of Burton on the edge of the box. However, the Venturas player could only lift his attempted lob over the bar.
It wasn't then end of the scoring though. A minute later a left-wing Thrapston corner was flicked on before being blocked near the front post. Unfortunately for All Saints, Matt Harris was lurking to hook the loose ball into the net. 0-6
That still left time for Jones to save well from Burton before the referee drew a close to the half.
HT Brixworth All Saints 0 Thrapston Venturas 6. Brixworth had no answer to a relentless and ruthless Thrapston display. There's no way back, just a case of trying to save some face in the second half for Brixworth.
Brixworth were much improved after the break It took a further six minutes of the second period before we saw another attempt at goal. It came from Thrapston as Ryan Caller fizzed a powerful effort across the face of the goal, narrowly past the far post. However, Brixworth were far more in the game this half than in the first 45 minutes. Maybe Thrapston had eased off a little or maybe personal pride was driving the Brixworth players. Whatever the case, the one-way traffic we saw earlier had certainly stopped.
In fact, seven minutes into the second half All Saints had the ball in the Thrapston net when Ali Duncan looped a header over Cobley, only for the assistant's flag to rightly chalk it off for offside. Three minutes later Alex Osborne's free-kick tested Cobley again, but the keeper was comfortably up to the task.
Just before the hour Thrapston's Pendred burst through from midfield but Tom Jones was off his line sharply to force the striker into looping his effort over the top. Straight back up the other end and All Saints were getting closer. Duncan again looking lively, his instinctive first-time volley bringing an acrobatic, one-handed save from Cobley.
Just as it looked as if Brixworth were establishing themselves though, they got hit by a stunner. Jacob Borisuth, who's wing play had caused problems all night, made some space out on the left before checking back and curling an unstoppable shot into the opposite top corner. No chance for Jones. 0-7
The seventh goal came on the hour mark but seven minutes later Brixworth finally got themselves on the scoreboard. A long ball beat the Thrapston defence but not Ali Duncan, who was onto it in a flash, looking up and seeing Cobley in no-man's land, before looping the ball over the stranded keeper. 1-7.
With 20 minutes left there was never a chance of a comeback but Thrapston were stung from conceding. Cobley had lost his clean sheet and was clearly not happy. Alfie Pendred then almost restored the seven goal advantage when her burst through on goal again. Once more Jones was quick off his line, doing enough to force Pendred to fire wide of the mark. Brixworth's much improved second-half performance then earned more consolation when they notched another goal on 83 minutes. Ian Giles this time, unleashing a low, 25-yard free-kick into Cobley's bottom left-hand corner. 2-7
With five minutes remaining Thrapston's Felix Bryant, on as as substitute, picked the ball up around halfway and set off on a mazy dribble that saw him leave a few defenders in his wake before finally being closed out inside the penalty area. Then, in the final minute of normal time, Borisuth's cross from the left clipped the top of the Brixworth bar. Then it was all over.
FT Brixworth All Saints 2 Thrapston Venturas 7. A very much improved Brixworth performance in the second half saw them 'win' the second 45 minutes 2-1. However, congratulations to Thrapston Venturas. Their first-half performance alone was worthy of winning the game and you can't blame them for being less dynamic in the second half. The game was already over.
Despite this result, Brixworth All Saints can look back on an excellent season that saw them unbeaten until the last two games of the league season, when the title had already been secured.
Next season is going to be interesting for both of these teams in Division One. I wouldn't want to bet aginst both of them being closer to the top than the bottom.
Finally, a shout out for Thrapston's coach which was parked in the car park opposite the ground. Wow! That's an impressive mode of transport for a Step 8 club. Very nice indeed.
Brixworth All Saints: 1.Jones, 2.Oates, 6.Kimble, 4.Hammond, 3.Osborne, 8.Fielding, 16.J.Fitzgerald, 33.Eldred, 10.M.Bees(c), 9.Duncan, 11.E.Fitzgerald. Subs: 5.Gravestock, 12.C.Bees, 7.Pietrangelo, 18.Giles, 14.Fowler
Thrapston Venturas: 1.S.Cobley, 2.Burton, 3.Caller, 4.Beverly, 5.Wesby, 6.Kilby, 7.Harris(c), 10.H.Cobley, 9.Pendred, 14.Borisuth, 12.Wilkinson. Subs: 11.Smith, 8.Palmer, 15.Bryant, 16.McEwan, 17.Langin
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 280
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: N/A
In fact, seven minutes into the second half All Saints had the ball in the Thrapston net when Ali Duncan looped a header over Cobley, only for the assistant's flag to rightly chalk it off for offside. Three minutes later Alex Osborne's free-kick tested Cobley again, but the keeper was comfortably up to the task.
Just before the hour Thrapston's Pendred burst through from midfield but Tom Jones was off his line sharply to force the striker into looping his effort over the top. Straight back up the other end and All Saints were getting closer. Duncan again looking lively, his instinctive first-time volley bringing an acrobatic, one-handed save from Cobley.
Just as it looked as if Brixworth were establishing themselves though, they got hit by a stunner. Jacob Borisuth, who's wing play had caused problems all night, made some space out on the left before checking back and curling an unstoppable shot into the opposite top corner. No chance for Jones. 0-7
The seventh goal came on the hour mark but seven minutes later Brixworth finally got themselves on the scoreboard. A long ball beat the Thrapston defence but not Ali Duncan, who was onto it in a flash, looking up and seeing Cobley in no-man's land, before looping the ball over the stranded keeper. 1-7.
With 20 minutes left there was never a chance of a comeback but Thrapston were stung from conceding. Cobley had lost his clean sheet and was clearly not happy. Alfie Pendred then almost restored the seven goal advantage when her burst through on goal again. Once more Jones was quick off his line, doing enough to force Pendred to fire wide of the mark. Brixworth's much improved second-half performance then earned more consolation when they notched another goal on 83 minutes. Ian Giles this time, unleashing a low, 25-yard free-kick into Cobley's bottom left-hand corner. 2-7
With five minutes remaining Thrapston's Felix Bryant, on as as substitute, picked the ball up around halfway and set off on a mazy dribble that saw him leave a few defenders in his wake before finally being closed out inside the penalty area. Then, in the final minute of normal time, Borisuth's cross from the left clipped the top of the Brixworth bar. Then it was all over.
FT Brixworth All Saints 2 Thrapston Venturas 7. A very much improved Brixworth performance in the second half saw them 'win' the second 45 minutes 2-1. However, congratulations to Thrapston Venturas. Their first-half performance alone was worthy of winning the game and you can't blame them for being less dynamic in the second half. The game was already over.
Despite this result, Brixworth All Saints can look back on an excellent season that saw them unbeaten until the last two games of the league season, when the title had already been secured.
Next season is going to be interesting for both of these teams in Division One. I wouldn't want to bet aginst both of them being closer to the top than the bottom.
Finally, a shout out for Thrapston's coach which was parked in the car park opposite the ground. Wow! That's an impressive mode of transport for a Step 8 club. Very nice indeed.
Brixworth All Saints: 1.Jones, 2.Oates, 6.Kimble, 4.Hammond, 3.Osborne, 8.Fielding, 16.J.Fitzgerald, 33.Eldred, 10.M.Bees(c), 9.Duncan, 11.E.Fitzgerald. Subs: 5.Gravestock, 12.C.Bees, 7.Pietrangelo, 18.Giles, 14.Fowler
Thrapston Venturas: 1.S.Cobley, 2.Burton, 3.Caller, 4.Beverly, 5.Wesby, 6.Kilby, 7.Harris(c), 10.H.Cobley, 9.Pendred, 14.Borisuth, 12.Wilkinson. Subs: 11.Smith, 8.Palmer, 15.Bryant, 16.McEwan, 17.Langin
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 280
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: N/A
Impressive Thrapston transort
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