Bromsgrove Sporting performed a 'Houdini Act' at 5 Acres last night when they recovered from two early goals and having two players dismissed to secure a point at high-flying Littleton.
The visitors failed to adapt to the Damp & Drizzly conditions and allowed Littleton far too much space in the opening 15 minutes allowing Jamie Insall a multitude of chances as he repeatedly waltzed through a static defensive line.
The home team took the lead in the 7th minute when Chris Cornes' pass caught the Sporting defence flat footed and Jamie Insall raced through to place the ball over Jake Bedford.
Three minutes later Bromsgrove were lucky not to go further behind, but following an identical move this time Bedford saved with his legs.
The second goal only took a further minute however, Insall scoring from the penalty spot. Toby Checketts being dismissed for Sporting as a result of the late challenge in the penalty area.
A brief glimmer of hope for Sporting midway through the half when Jacob Snape looked certain to score, but he hit the left hand post from close range.
Referee Rogers lost control of the game at the end of the first period and cautioned 2 players from each side in the space of 12 minutes to attempt to regain control.
Ricardo Richards got a goal back for the visitors on 59 minutes when he bundled the ball home from close range following a right wing cross from Snape.
Any glimmer of hope appeared to vanish when Chris Gleadow was dismissed for his second caution. After the first for dissent at the end of the first half it was a reckless challenge in an area of the pitch that didn't need it that earnt his second and a red card.
For 25 minutes Littleton huffed and puffed to make the 2 extra men work and although they had plenty of shots, strangely very few were on target and those that were Bedford was able to handle on the greasy conditions.
The last ten minutes were all Bromsgrove as Littleton strangely tired and after spurning several great opportunities the ball fell to Lewis Clarke 10 yards out who curled the ball past a static Littleton 'keeper on 90 minutes.
The Rouslers even had a couple of half chances to win the game, but that would have turned a nightmare into a fantasy!
Bromsgrove Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Daniel Morris, Lewis Clarke, Chris Gleadow, Toby Checketts, Will Tibbetts, Matt Poyner, Ricardo Richards, Jacob Snape (Danny Edwards, 64), Stevan Ashman (James Johnson 69)
Subs Not Used: Brett Mander, Gareth Davies, Jake Brown
Littleton: Dean Smith, Tom Beattie, Matt Mitchell, Alex Baird, Robbie Bunn, Martin Slevin (Brendan Hicks 66), Chris Cornes, Nathan Haywood, Jamie Insall, Stuart Hall, Callum Clarke (Scott Walsh 84)
Subs Not Used: Antonio Vernasachi, Cieran Gbert, Joe Walsh. |