Probably the toughest opponents this season and Thurnby shaded Sporting for much of the match. However defeat still hurts particularly in a prestigious national competition and even more so when Sporting could have taken this tie had things gone a bit more their way.
Both sides could have had a goal in the first couple of minutes with Reece Hewitt for Sporting hitting a shot straight to Thurnby 'keeper James Flinders whilst moments later Reece Morris for the home side blasted over the bar from close range.
With frost still in places on the pitch, Nirvana coped with the conditions better moving the ball round well on a heavy pitch whilst Sporting were struggling to get into a rhythm and when they had possession passes went short or astray.
Thurnby's pressure finally paid dividends on the 14th minute when Matthew Melbourne won the ball just outside the box, made a neat pass to Ashley Day who slotted home just wide of Jake Bedford's outstretched arm.
As expected, that livened up the away side who starting to get themselves into the game with Reece Hewitt making a number of good runs and several players getting in shots but all were quite easily gathered by Tim Howard look-a-like Flinders.
Clearly the message in the Sporting changing room at half-time was get stuck in and sure enough, the Bromsgrove team started the second half brighter and with just five minutes gone, Chrisi Conway side-footed home Will Tibbetts cross after the winger had dummied a couple of defenders to level the scoreline.
Then on 59 minutes Sporting could have gone in front when Hewitt and Conway combined to supply Tibbetts but his shot was well-saved by Flinders diving low.
A minute later it looked as if the home side would take the lead when Morris unleashed a fierce drive from 20 yards that beat Bedford but ballooned off the bar.
However, the Leicester men did not have to wait much longer to get in front. Day picked up a free-kick and after getting himself into shooting position fired goalwards only for his shot to be deflected by Liam Canavan though a crowded goal area and past the hapless Bedford.
From then on Sporting had the better of the play with Thurnby forced to defend their advantage. Brain, Tibbetts and Conway all beat the back four only to find the Flinders in fine form and saving well from close range.
Both sides had further chances to get on to the score sheet but with several pairs of tired legs on the pitch, shots barely troubled either goalkeeper and with three minutes of added time played referee Mr Bourne blew for the end. The Thurnby bench and fans celebrated whilst the large travelling contingent of Sporting fans gave their team a cheer for having played well but on the day not quite well enough.
After the match Sporting manager Paul Smith admitted that Thurnby had been a tough team but added "We had three good chances late on the game with just the keeper to beat. Had we converted those then it might have been a different story".
So a big disappointment for Sporting whose dreams of a Wembley final will have to wait until next season. Meanwhile there are three more cup competitions to play starting with an away match again Stourport Swifts on Tuesday in the Worcestershire Senior Urn; and of course, there is a small matter of the league.
Thurnby: James Flinders, Sean Phillips, Sean Doy, Lynas King, Alex Biggs, William Gonga, Ashley Day, Liam Canavan (Shaquille O'Neill-Brooks 74 mins), Reece Morris (Celson Patrocini 79 mins), Matthew Melbourne (Capt.), Pearson Mwanyonga.
Unused substitutes: Jaudach Taylor, Jouel Potter, Alpher Callon.
Scorers: Ashley Day (14 mins), Liam Canavan (65 mins)
Yellows: William Gonga (48 mins), Matthew Melbourne (71 mins), Person Mwanyonga (84 mins).
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Danny Morris, Ryan Mahon, Scott Smith (Capt.), Craig Jones, Will Tibbetts (Danny Lennon 72 mins), Reece Hewitt (Charlie Wilson 68 mins), Chrisi Conway, Sam Wills, Sean Brain (Jozsef Jakab 72 mins).
Unused substitutes: Dan Butler, Chris Sockett,
Scorer: Chrisi Conway (51 mins)
Yellows: Sam Wills (35 mins), Chrisi Conway (83 mins).
Referee: Mr D Bourne (Nottingham)
Assistants: Mr E Cook (Nottingham), Mr A Hill (Nottingham)
Attendance: 147
Weather: Cold, bright.
Sporting Man of the Match: Danny Morris |