Keith Draper fired Bromsgrove Sporting into the quarter finals of the Smedley Crooke Challenge Cup and helped Sporting knockout rivals Littleton in their 1-0 victory.
Striker Chris Morrison supplied the first chances for Bromsgrove Sporting despite playing at centre back in this game. Sporting's first two efforts came from corners though Morrison's shot went over the crossbar and his second headed effort failed to do any better.
Keith Draper looked a threat to Littleton from early on with some pin-point accurate passes and an emphatic attempt to try and catch Littleton goalkeeper Jack Dell of his line.
Bromsgrove winger Elliot Nash was the next Sporting player to create a chance. His low hit cross was deflected goal bound off a Littleton defender and brought the best out of Littleton goalkeeper Jack Dell.
Littleton's first real testing effort came right on the break of halftime but the effort didn't cause any trouble as the ball was hit straight at Sporting's Tom Savage.
Bromsgrove started the second half well; Jon Rogers ran into the far corner of the box and as the goalkeeper approached Rogers his low powerful shot was struck inches past the far post.
Sporting had dominated the majority of play and their efforts were rewarded just short of the hour mark. Jon Rogers hit a low cross to Elliot Nash; his shot was blocked by a Littleton defender and found Jovan Blake-Walker. He released a quick shot out from under his feet and brought a quick reaction save out of Jack Dell but his save was pushed out to Keith Draper. The ball sat right at Keith Draper's feet and he was able to place the ball in the far corner of the net to give Bromsgrove a much deserved lead.
Bromsgrove continued to create chances after taking the lead but shots from Blake-Walker, Draper, Morrison and Whitehouse all failed to hit the target.
Littleton hadn't really created any threatening attempts so far but after the goal they made some chances of their own. Jamie Clarke's shot brought a good low save out of Tom Savage with another effort coming from Callum Clarke.
In the last few moments of the game Bromsgrove lost the pressure that threatened Littleton and allowed the away side to mount a late attack for an equaliser. Kieran Cross' shot looked to be a certain goal in a tight compacted penalty area. The effort struck the inside of the post and was about to cross the line before Tom Savage quickly caught the ball.
Littleton didn't look a risk to Bromsgrove until the final moments with the majority of their pressure coming too late in the game. Bromsgrove saw off the final effort from Littleton's Dave Edwards and have now progressed to the quarter finals. The tie will be played against Lye Town or Fairfield Villa on Thursday 28th March.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Aaron Roberts, Adam Humphries (Lee Dunkley 46 mins), Matt Ross, Nick Harris, James Turk, Elliot Nash (Bradley Whitehouse (70 mins), Jovan Blake-Walker, Jon Rogers, Keith J Draper (Chris Gleadow (90+1 mins).
Substitutes not used: Danny Deehan, Jamie Parker
Littleton: Jack Dell, Matt Mitchell, Kieran Cross, Simon Fitter, Tim Beattie, Callum Clarke (Oliver Manochehri 70 mins), Joe Walsh, Alex Baird (capt, Tom Allard 55 mins), Jamie Clarke, Kieran Gilbert, Dave Edwards.
Substitutes not used: Scott Walsh, Kevin Ingram, Owen Hancox. |