After overcoming top side Blackwood the week before, Sporting found Alvis more than a handful at their ground on Green Lane in Coventry last Saturday. Manager Keith Draper kept faith with the same starting eleven whilst Alvis fielded former Sheffield United, Coventry City and Cameroon international Patrick Suffo up front.
The home side started brighter pinning the Rouslers back in their own half and coming close with a couple of shots from Suffo and lively left-winger Ryan Isherwood with just a few minutes on the clock. Their reward come on the twelfth minute when neat passing by Isherwood and Dean Kimberlin stretched the Bromsgrove defence as Remi Martins-Tonks received the ball 12 yards out and made no mistake with just Tom Savage between the sticks to beat.
Alvis's lead however lasted just 3 minutes. Mike Thurbon hit a long range free-kick down-field to Chrisi Conway passing quickly to Jon Rogers who hit home a good shot from 10 yards out.
From then on for the remainder of the half there was not much between the two sides as both had a couple of reasonable efforts that kept the two 'keepers busy.
After the interval as with the first half Alvis started brighter but gradually the Bromsgrove outfit increased the pace of the game and dominated play as they sought to take the lead.
However the push forward left them exposed at the back and somewhat against the run of play Alvis re-took the lead on 80 minutes, when Ryan Isherwood fired into an empty net after being put through by Sean Judge.
In the last 10 minutes both sides had further chances as Alvis attempted to consolidate their lead and Bromsgrove tried to even the game up again. But it was the Worcestershire men who had the last say three minutes into added time when Chrisi Conway scored with a well-placed shot after a good pass from substitute Robbie Hendry.
Seconds later referee Mr Brown blew for full-time much to the relief of the travelling Rouslers fans.
After a tough encounter, Sporting were content with a draw but Alvis were clearly disappointed not to have taken all three points. This Saturday is the reverse fixture at the Victoria Ground and all being well another entertaining match to look forward to.
Alvis: Karl Roach, Matty Taylor, Simon Hodgson, Paulo Razza, Gio Dainty, Remi Martins-Tonks Fabian Spence 68 mins), Dean Kimberlin, Sean Judge, Leon Kelly, Patrick Suffo (capt), Ryan Isherwood.
Substitutes not used: Francois Viany, Chris Johnson.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Karl Fellows, Aaron Roberts, Nicky Martin (capt), Mike Thurbon, James Turk (Keelan McNally 33 mins), Keith J Draper, Peter Jenvey, Jon Rogers (Robbie Hendry 68 mins), Chrisi Conway, Dan Wilkes (Mikey Stewart 86 mins).
Substitutes not used: Ryan Molesworth, Danny Lismore. |