After a run of eleven matches without a defeat, Sporting lost the second game in succession, this time to local rivals Stourport Swifts in the Worcestershire Senior Urn, albeit in a penalty shoot out.
Swifts got down to business without any delay and after winning a free-kick just outside the Bromsgrove box went a goal up just inside the third minute courtesy of Jamie Willetts who got on to the end of former Rousler Karl Fellows' chip into the box.
After getting over the initial surprise Sporting gradually eased their way in the game but reminiscent of last Saturday against a team closing down quickly, too many passes went astray and despite moving the ball round well in mid-field, the forwards made little impact on the Stourport defence.
The home side had the better of the play with Ashley Parsons and Luke Morris forcing Jake Bedford into good saves and it was Morris who got Stourport's second on the 39th minute when he easily headed home James Hyde's corner.
Things continued much in the same vein after the break with the home side in control but failing to add to their lead. However, that all changed on the 61st minute with an inspired triple substitution by Sporting manager Paul Smith. On came Jozsef Jakab, Sam Wills and Sean Brain and immediately they made a nuisance of themselves in the Stourport half.
Realising that a two-goal deficit could be made up, Danny Morris tested Brendan Bunn in the away goal a few moments later but it was Sam Wills who got on to the scoresheet two minutes after that with a low hard drive that went under the diving Bunn.
Three minutes later the scores were level and it was Wills again who fired home from a similar position after Sean Brain's shot ricocheted off the post.
With their tails up, Sporting went for the winner but despite a few good moves were unable to find the net and the score remained level at full-time. Cue for a penalty shot out.
Sporting's record is dreadful having failed to win any in six attempts and things did not look good when the first shot by Craig Jones was saved by Bunn. Dean Waldron put his attempt over the bar and after four rounds scores were level. Stourport's Mike Briscoe then put his shot wide so Ryan Mahon just had to score to win the match for Sporting but his shot went straight to Bunn. In round nine Bunn beat his opposite number Jake Bedford but in attempting to beat Bunn and keep his side in the match, Bedford hit the bar and the ball dropped harmlessly behind the goal.
So disappointment again for Sporting but penalties aside had they played as well in the first half as they did in the second they could have won within the 90 minutes.
Stourport: Brendan Bunn, Ashley Parsons, Paul Hurrell, Mike Briscoe, Jamie Willetts, Gary Walker (Capt, Ben Maund 28 mins)), Karl Fellows, Dean Waldron, James Lemon (John Griffin 65 mins), Luke Morris, James Hyde.
Unused substitutes: Lewis Pountney, Alex Lavery.
Scorers: Jamie Willetts (3 mins), Luke Morris (39 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Will Tibbetts (Sean Brain 61 mins), Danny Morris, Ryan Mahon, Scott Smith (Capt.), Craig Jones, Chris Sockett (Sam Wills 61 mins), Charlie Wilson, Chrisi Conway, Danny Lennon (Jozsef Jakab 61 mins), Jack Wilson.
Unused substitutes: Chris Duggan, Danny Ludlow.
Scorers: Sam Wills (68, 72 mins)
Referee: Mr D Pattison (Bromsgrove)
Assistants: Mr O Williams (Kidderminster), Mr S Robertson (Bromsgrove)
Attendance: 82
Weather: Cool, wet.
Sporting Man of the Match: Danny Morris
Penalty shoot-out details
1 - 0 James Lemon scores for Stourport
1 - 0 Brendan Bunn saves low from Craig Jones
1 - 0 Dean Waldron over bar
1 - 1 Chrisi Conway scores
2 - 1 Ashley Parsons
2 - 2 Sam Wills
3 - 2 Luke Morris
3 - 3 Jozsef Jakab
4 - 3 Karl Fellows
4 - 4 Sean Brain
4 - 4 Mike Briscoe wide of the left hand post
4 - 4 Ryan Mahon's saved by Bunn
5 - 4 Paul Hurrell
5 - 5 Charlie Wilson
6 - 5 Ben Maund
6 - 6 Jack Wilson
7 - 6 Brendan Bunn
7 - 6 Jake Bedford bounces ball off the bar |