Prolific marksman Mark Bellingham hit five goals as Bromsgrove Sporting inflicted a heavy defeat on a willing, but inexperienced young Saints side
With half the squad still young enough to play for the youth team, a trip to the Victoria Ground to face free-scoring Sporting was always going make for a tough afternoon.
Add in the threat of Mark Bellingham, who has scored over 600 goals in a career which includes playing at Leamington in the Southern League during my time as chairman, it was likely to be a question of how low the Saints defence could keep the score and so it proved.
Michael Ojeil has waited patiently for a chance this season and, with Tom Cross unavailable, the 17 year-old got the call in goal. Looking at the score, it might appear that he had a bad afternoon but, with two exceptions, he couldn't be faulted for the goals and, indeed, pulled off some good saves to prevent even further punishment.
Striker Robbie Stephens was absent through injury and central defender Simon Hicks was suspended. How Saints missed Hicks' experience, as Bellingham ran riot, scoring his first after just five minutes, rising unchallenged to head home an inswinging corner from Daniel Ludlow.
Sean Williams, who was a constant threat down the right flank, almost made it two in the 9th minute, but Ryan Isherwood cleared off the line and then Ludlow sent a shot across the Saints goal.
Saints got their first and only corner of the half in the 18th when a cross from Connor Wilson was headed out by Craig Jones, but Jake Marshall sent the ball high and deep and away from everyone.
Manoocheri then brought down Williams and Bellingham's free kick came back off the outside of the post before Ojeil made a smart save as Brett Mander sent a hard, low cross into the goalmouth where Chris Russell pounced, but the keeper got his body in the way.
However, it was only a stay of execution as Russell proved too strong for Marshall and shot low into the far corner to double the lead on 27 minutes. Mander sent a good chance over the bar before Ojeil saved a point-blank range from Russell.
Bellingham struck again, meeting a cross from Sean Williams and shaking off the challenge of Joe Williams to score easily. Russell got his second when driving through unchallenged in the 34th and, right on half time, a harmless looking ball over the top wasn't collected by Ojeil and Williams tapped in for the softest of goals.
Sam Cantalapiedra made his first appearance replacing the injured Danny Wylde at half-time, leaving Saints with even less defenders.
Within a minute, it was 6-0 as Ojeil didn't get a clean punch on a corner and, with the defence failing to clear, Jones shot through a crowded goalmouth.
Saints almost pulled one back in the 48th minute, but home keeper Jake Bedford, saved with his legs from Manoochehri and the ball fell to Wilson who put his shot over.
Ludlow provided a perfect cross to an unmarked Bellingham at the far post and he made no mistake for his hat-trick. Bellingham soon increased the lead as the Saints defence got in a tangle and Russell again proved too strong in scoring his third.
It was all over with fifteen minutes to go as Bellingham brought up double figures with his fifth of the match.
For this young squad, the step up from the youth team and the Stratford Football Alliance where they have been chalking up big wins themselves, is proving a shock to the system. Two heavy defeats have shown them that they are playing stronger, fitter opponents who won't give them time on the ball and will unmercifully punish mistakes.
But, they kept trying and didn't resort to desperate measures in a match that was played in a good spirit by both sides.
A few more experienced players will make a lot of difference.
Just three, Oli Manoochehri, Ben Tennant and Danny Wylde have chalked up ten first team appearances this season. Ojeil was making his debut, as was substitute Cantalapiedra, and Bednall, Marshall, Nijjar, Thoms and Wilson had all appeared for the first time last week.
It is to be hoped that their confidence is not shaken and the small group I spoke to after the match seemed in good spirits, considering what had just happened.
My Player of the Match was Matty Wyatt, who suffered as much as any with the constant barrage of attacks from Sporting, but critical clearances in the last five minutes showed a determination to play to the end even in the most adverse of circumstances.
Bromsgrove Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Jack Wilson, Matt Poyner, Joe Cole [Capt.], Craig Jones, Sean Williams, Sam Wilkinson, Mark Bellingham, Chris Russell, Daniel Ludlow (Darius Darkin 63)
Subs not used: Chris Duggan, James Johnson, Danny Morris
Southam United: Michel Ojeil, Jake Marshall, Ben Tennant, Matty Wyatt, Joe Williams, Danny Wylde (Sam Cantalapiedra 46), Connor Wilson (Suki Nijjar 63), Ryan Isherwood, Steve Thomas, Oli Manoochehri [Capt.}], Niall Thoms (Louis Bednall 63)
Sub not used; Hugh McCluskie (G/K)
Match officials: Referee Trevor Sharratt, Assistants John Watson and Brian Green
Attn: 291
Player of the Match: Matty Wyatt |