Two second-half goals from Bromsgrove Sporting's Mark Bellingham saw the home side ease to a two nil victory against league strugglers Racing Club Warwick.
It was Racing Club Warwick who had the game's opening chance when Daniel Edwards' half volley, from the inside of the box bounced wide of the far post.
Sporting had the chance to take the early lead when Mark Bellingham was awarded a penalty after being brought down by Warwick's Spencer Bradley, but Bellingham's effort was put straight down the centre of the goal and saved by Conal Dowling.
Bellingham had another chance minutes later when his header was parried by the goalkeeper, Bellingham and Matt Poyner almost tapped in the rebound but Dowling quickly smothered the ball.
Warwick's best chance of the first half came when Ryan Langmead went one on one with the Sporting goalkeeper. Jake Bedford quickly rushed out of his goal and spread his body well to knock Langmead's low shot out for a corner.
The corner also proved threatening to the Rouslers goal as James Dyke's header was cleared off the line by a Sporting head.
Bromsgrove looked the more likely to score and during the last ten minutes of the first-half Matt Poyner almost gave his side the lead with his stretching effort hitting the outside of the post.
Seconds later, Sporting's Liam Molesworth had an effort on goal saved. His shot just inside the box was destined for the top corner, but Dowling, who had a busy first half, pushed the ball over for a corner.
Not long after the re-start Bromsgrove did eventually get the lead. The home side was awarded a free kick just in front of the corner flag on the far side. The ball was delivered in from Adam Daly and Mark Bellingham headed the ball into the back of the net on the near post, giving Sporting a 1-0 lead.
Despite the second half being a lot quieter than the first in terms of chances in front of goal, Bromsgrove doubled their lead with 15 minutes left to play. Substitute Rico Taylor crossed the ball into the feet of Mark Bellingham, he got the ball under control and his low shot went through the legs of the Mark Turton and into the opposite corner of the net to make the score 2-0.
James Dyke had a great opportunity to get a goal back for the visitors but his powerful un-challenged header was hit slightly over the Sporting crossbar.
Liam Molesworth had a great afternoon down the right-hand side for Bromsgrove and did eventually find the net from a fantastic chip shot over the goalkeeper, though it was ruled out for offside.
Molesworth had another chance to give the home side their third when Warwick's goalkeeper found himself stranded outside his area, but before he could capitalize Dowling had scrambled back into the area and saved the effort on goal.
Mark Bellingham almost had time to complete his hat-trick in the final stages of the match with another header, this time his attempt rattled the outside of the post.
That was enough to ensure all three points for Bromsgrove Sporting who currently sit fourth in the Midlands Combination Premier League table. Sporting's next league match is away at Lichfield City on Saturday 7th December.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Adam Daly, Craig Jones, Joe Cole (Chris Gleadow 87 mins), Carl Hind (Rico Taylor 59 mins), Liam Molesworth, Darius Darkin, Mark Bellingham, Matt Poyner, Jack Wilson (Stefan Ashman 73 mins).
Warwick: Conal Dowling, Jordan Cullinone-Liburd, Terence Morton, Daniel Edwards, Mark Turton, Spencer Bradley, Ciaron Houston (Jonathan Harkin 73 mins), Joss Tiff, Ryan Langmead (Thomas Fishwick 73 mins), James Dyke (Elliot Powell 62 mins), Leigh Phillips. |