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Sat 8th Mar 2014 @ 15:00 - King George V Playing Field Attendance: 154
Pershore Town
0 - 4
Bromsgrove Sporting
Referee: Mr. C. Readett (Halesowen) Midland Combination / Premier Division

Goalscorers
None Mark Bellingham (19)
Billy Russell (25)
Daniel Ludlow (28)
Mark Bellingham (63)
Starting Line-ups
Matt Oliver
Steve Webb
Zac Blood
Quentin Townsend
Matt Hunt
Joe Walsh
Louis Bridges
Dane Aldington
Scott Walsh
Mark Owen
Damien Fern
Jake Bedford
Brett Mander
Craig Jones
Joe Cole
Daniel Morris
Sean Williams
Sam Wilkinson
Darious Darkin
Daniel Ludlow
Mark Bellingham
Billy Russell
Substitutes
Frazer Goodlad
Joshua Kennedy
Nathan McLoughlin
James Crane
Chris Duggan
Lewis Clarke
Matt Poyner
Stefan Ashman
Substitutions
Joshua Kennedy -> Damien Fern (56)
Frazer Goodlad -> Louis Bridges (76)
Lewis Clarke -> Darious Darkin (66)
Chris Duggan -> Brett Mander (66)
Matt Poyner -> Billy Russell (72)
Yellow cards
Dane Aldington (38)
Steve Webb (61)
Zac Blood (90+3)
Mark Bellingham (48)
Craig Jones (77)
Red cards
None None
Match Report | Programme
Sporting's run of good form continued last Saturday with a comfortable rather than overwhelming win against Worcestershire rivals, Pershore Town.

As with previous matches both sides started quickly in the hope of snatching an early surprise and it was the visitors who has the first good chance a few seconds after the kick-off when Billy Russell's shot flashed across the face of Pershore's goal.
The game then settled down with much of the play in the middle of field, that despite having been under a couple of feet of water a few weeks ago did not play too badly but was rather lumpy in places.

With the home side trying to close the Rouslers down and stop them getting into a rhythm there was always a danger that their tight marking would give them few options in open play. That proved to be the case on 19 minutes when Danny Morris lofted a great ball over the top of both the Town midfield and defence allowing Mark Bellingham to pick up on the other side where he had just 'keeper Matt Oliver to beat for Sporting's first goal.

That seemed to take the wind out of Pershore's sails and with a goal to make up they dropped the tight marking and attempted to move the ball about more. With more space available Sporting saw an opportunity when Brett Mander passed to Bellingham out wide, he went to the by-line and pulled the ball back to Billy Russell who gratefully volleyed home from 10 yards for Sporting's second.

The third came just 3 minutes later, when former Rover, Quentin Townsend gave away a free-kick just outside the box. Pershore lined up but Danny Ludlow spotted a gap in the wall and hit a daisy-cutter just above the ground that went though and past the outstretched arm of Oliver.

Veteran striker and another form Rover, Mark Owen knew that his experience would now be needed and he did get into a couple of good positions before the interval but the twin half-back pairing of Joe Cole and Danny Morris mopped up any threats that Pershore posed.

For much of the second half Bromsgrove attempted to stretch the home defence making good use of wide-men Danny Ludlow and Sean Williams and it was from the nippy and skilful winger that the fourth goal came. His free-kick found Mark Bellingham wide on the right and rather than hit a cross into the box he managed to squeeze a shot between post and defender for his 29th of the season.

Williams continued to torment the Pershore defence with fine runs down the right and accurate crosses but none of the Bromsgrove strikers managed to connect.

Mark Owen cam close to getting one back for the home side with moments to go when his hard shot from 20 yards out forced Jake Bedford in the away goal to tip over.

After the match, coach Les Palmer praised his team saying "We worked hard particularly in the first half and I was pleased with a three-goal lead at half-time. We slowed down a bit in the second half but our defence remained solid".

The large contingent of away fans were happy with both result and performance. There was some muttering that they would have been tested by a better side but in the end it was another useful three points that keeps the Bromsgrove side in second place in the league.

Pershore: Matt Oliver, Steve Webb, Zac Blood, Quentin Townsend, Matt Hunt, Joe Walsh, Louis Bridges (Frazer Goodlad 76 ins), Dane Aldington, Scott Walsh, Mark Owen (Capt.), Damien Fern (Joshua Kennedy 56 mins).
Subs not used: Nathan McLoughlin, James Crane.

Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander (Chris Duggan 66 mins), Craig Jones, Sam Wilkinson, Joe Cole (Capt.), Danny Morris, Sean Williams, Darius Darkin (Lewis Clarke (66 mins), Mark Bellingham, Billy Russell (Matt Poyner 62 mins), Danny Ludlow.
Sub not used: Stefan Ashman