Sporting completed another comfortable victory in the space of 4 days when they defeated Alvis Sporting in the Les James Challenge Cup otherwise known as the Midland Combination League Cup.
Bromsgrove had the better of the play in the first half and really could have had the match sown up at halftime had they taken their chances. As it was they went in with just one goal to their credit; a penalty converted by Mark Bellingham who moments before had been tackled from behind.
Following a rallying call in the changing room, Sporting moved up a gear in the second half and the second goal was not long coming on the 61st minute. Alvis failed to clear a ball bouncing round their penalty area and when it landed at Bellingham's feet all he had to do was tap home from 5 yards.
The away side though were unable to make much progress despite having former Cameroon international Patrick Suffo in mid-field and even he was reduced to an attempt on goal from the halfway line that Bromsgrove keeper Jake Bedford easily saved.
Goal number three was a fine effort from Sean Williams on 66 minutes, who having supplied a number of good crosses during the evening decided to have a go himself and fired home an angled shot from 25 yards.
Mark Bellingham completed his hat-trick on the 71st minute with a shot from 10 yards after Stefan Ashman's effort rebounded off the post and with 3 minutes of normal time left Chris Duggan's scored a rare goal when his perfectly floated corner went in off the post.
A good team performance from Sporting who now play the semi-final match against Stafford Town on 22nd March. Stafford were beaten last Saturday so they should be confident of making the final later in the season and that will be played at Walsall's Bescot Stadium.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Craig Jones, Chris Duggan, Matt Poyner, Danny Morris, Joe Cole, Sean Williams, Sam Wilkinson (Lewis Clarke 75 mins), Mark Bellingham, Billy Russell (Darius Darkin 69 mins), Danny Ludlow (Stefan Ashman 69 mins).
Unused sub: Brian Howe.
Alvis: Jack Hartopp, Samuel Odusoga, Sean Martin (Dean Kimberlin 67 mins), Michael Quirke, Andy Hayes, Steve Evans, Tommy Maguire (Paolo Razza 69 mins), Calvin Thompson, Leon Kelly, Patrick Suffo, Bradley Austen (Darren Judge 62 mins).
Unused sub: Brett Mander |