FA Carlsberg Vase 1st Round - Saturday 19th October 2013, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Westfields 3 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (1)
Sporting went out of the FA Vase at the 3rd hurdle when they lost by the odd goal to Herefordshire side, Westfields in a bizarre match that saw four goals from penalties.
Sporting drew the first blood and took an early lead on the 3rd minute courtesy of a Sam Wilkinson penalty after Ricardo Richards had been brought down in the box.
Westfields then equalised 12 minutes later also from a penalty after Luke Darby had been adjudged to have handled the ball. Former Littleton striker Jamie Insall despatching from the spot.
For the rest of the half Sporting had the better of the play and created more chances particularly a header for Richards who should have done better than heading wide on 19 minutes.
The powerful striker then pulled a hamstring and was substituted by Lewis Clarke who went into midfield whilst Matt Poyner moved up front to partner Jacob Snape.
Westfields took the lead seven minutes after the interval when Sporting 'keeper Jake Bedford made a good stop but failed to hold the ball; as it ran away Jamie Cuss tapped in from close range.
With their tails up Westfields looked the better side for most of the second half and although they had the majority of possession they failed to create many chances as the away defence held firm.
Then on 81 minutes, Sporting won a corner and as the kick came over referee Mr Tudor awarded another penalty to Sporting this time for shirt pulling. Sam Wilkinson again despatched and with the Westfields manager clearly unhappy with the decision, Mr Tudor ordered him from the dugout.
With the match heading for extra time there was still more drama to come and another penalty this time another to the home side and again for shirt pulling. Craig Jones made no mistake from 12 yards with 3 minutes of added time played.
To add to Sporting's demise Brett Mander then went off to an early bath after an altercation off the ball and with just a few seconds left the final whistle came before Sporting could respond.
So a disappointing finale for Sporting who played well against a team from a higher division. The pitch was not easy to play on especially after a heavy storm at half time but the travelling support of well over a hundred fans cheered their team off the pitch knowing that on another day they could have been the victors.
Westfields: Matt Gwynne, Will Loughmann (Matt Roome 59 mins), Marcus Giglio, Rob Aldrich, Scott Jackson, Zac Sirrell, Craig Jones, Jamie Cuss, Jamie Insall (Dan Williams 73 mins), Brad Birch, Carl Morgan (Alex O'Leary 63 mins).
Subs not used: Danny Scheppell, Dan O'Connor
Scorers: Jamie Insall (pen, 15 mins), Jamie Cuss (52 mins), Craig Jones (pen, 90+3 mins)
Yellows: Scott Jackson (80 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Chris Duggan, Matt Poyner, Luke Darby, JJ Cole, Will Tibbetts, Sam Wilkinson, Ricardo Richards (Lewis Clarke 37 mins), Jacob Snape (Daniel Pitt 77 mins), Jack Wilson.
Subs not used: Danny Edwards, Stefan Ashman, Chris Gleadow
Scorer: Sam Wilkinson (pen, 3 mins, pen 81 mins)
Yellows: Luke Darby (90 mins), Daniel Pitt (90 mins)
Red: Brett Mander (90+4 mins)
Referee Mr M Tudor (Gloucester)
Assistants: Mr G Pugh (Stroud) & Mr K Iles (Cheltenham)
Crowd: 204
Weather: Showers, warm.
Sporting Man of the Match: JJ Cole
Reporter: Phil Baker |