An impressive scoreline for Bromsgrove Sporting and a deserved result but it was not an easy victory. Continental Star are based in Handsworth and their first team play in the Midland Combination Premier Division so here was an opportunity for their second string to make an impact.
Star will probably rue a number of missed chances though their tactics did not help playing a lone striker in Carl Blair who did well but often lacked much-needed support. When the visitors did get numbers up front they then had to contend Sporting 'keeper Chris Mole who was in fine form keeping out as many as four certain goals.
As with Chelmsley last week it was the away team who started brighter with right-winger Nathaniel Hare in particular making few useful runs at the home defence.
Sporting though settled down quickly and Shaun Maynard got their first good chance on 10 minutes where he turned about 10 yards out chipped Star 'keeper Che O'Connor only to see the ball bounce off the cross bar.
Six minutes later it was Maynard again who was bundled over just inside the penalty area. He took the spot kick, O'Conner guessed correctly and palmed the ball out. Maynard attempted to tap in the re-bound only for O'Connor to save again but on the third attempt, Maynard hit the back of the net. Star will feel unlucky but Sporting were one up.
At the other end Chris Mole's first important save came on 35 minutes when he did well to hold on to Nathaniel Hare's full-bloodied effort.
Sporting got their second on 40 minutes when Aaron Roberts picked up a loose ball 15 yards out and hit it hard past Che O'Connor' outstretched left arm.
After the half-time break Star came out looking more determined. Tony Fearn got into a good position but hit a weak shot easy gathered by Chris Mole. His punt up field cleared the Star defence and found Michael Woolman who rounded Che O'Connor for Sporting's third.
From then on the home side took no risks and played some neat football moving the ball around well and retaining possession. When Star did get a look in Chris Mole was on hand to make three excellent saves, two from Carl Blair and one from substitute Beiniah Ebanks. They will also consider that it was not their day when Justin Jackson hit the post on 50 minutes.
After the game, Sporting manager Myles Day was satisfied with both result and performance though he did admit that he there was room for further improvements.
Sporting (red & white shirts, blue shorts, blue socks, 4-4-2) - Chris Mole; Gareth Rogers, Nick Allen (Neil Cooksey 63 mins), Richard Griffiths (capt), Chris Bright (Sander Milicev 78 mins); Zach Blood, Jamie Rogers, Aaron Roberts, Ryan Molesworth (James McKeon 65 mins); Shaun Maynard, Michael Woolman.
Substitutes not used: Danny Patrick, Jason Blockley
Star (yellow/black shirts, black shorts and socks, 4-4-1-1) - Che O'Connor; Josh Nugent, Patrick O'Shea, Thomas Sylon Julian Salman Jordan Willcock 54 mins): Jeremy Lynch, Justin Jackson (Beiniah Ebanks 65 mins), Steffan Gordon (capt), Nathaniel Hare; Tony Fearn Roel Thomson 69 mins); Carl Blair.
Substitutes not used: Daniel Brotherson, Matthew Fearn. |