IT proved a difficult afternoon for Redbrook Rovers on Saturday as visitors Staunton & Corse ran out 3-1 winners in a physical and fiercely contested North Gloucestershire Premier encounter.

The visitors started the stronger side, bringing plenty of physicality and disrupting Redbrook’s rhythm.

Several efforts from distance tested the home defence before a long ball over the top on 35 minutes found its way through to Matthew Cobb, who gave Staunton & Corse the lead which they held to half-time.

Redbrook came back out with greater intensity, and began to impose themselves on the game and were rewarded on 53 minutes when Jake Teague rose to head home the equaliser, scoring in five games in a row.

The momentum was with Redbrook, and within minutes Ieuan Frost struck the crossbar as the hosts pushed for the lead.

But football can be cruel. A free-kick conceded in a dangerous area saw keeper Theo Bowen make the initial save, only for the rebound to take a couple of deflections before squeezing inside the post.

With time running out, the hosts changed formation and committed bodies forward.

However, an 85th-minute long throw was flicked on in the Rovers box, and the ball somehow evaded everyone before rolling agonisingly across the line to make it 3-1.

A Rovers spokesperson said: "Credit to Staunton & Corse, who were a well-organised and competitive side.

"They disrupted our game effectively and were the better team in possession. Redbrook will feel frustrated by the manner of the goals conceded, but there are lessons to take forward.

"There were positives, too. Defensive organisation showed improvement, the second-half response was encouraging, and Jono Wright made an immediate impression after joining last week, earning his first-team debut, and was deservedly named Player of the Match."

Rovers are away to Harrow Hill 2nds this Saturday, while the 2nds host Rank 2nds.