Bromsgrove Sporting go into the festive season on a high note after overcoming a strong Bolehall Swift's side in tough league cup match. In the process they won a penalty shoot-out for the first time after seven previous attempts with 'keeper Jake Bedford the hero this time making the crucial save to take the tie by four spot-kicks to three.
Before the sudden-death decider though, there was 120 minutes of competitive and quality football played on a heavy and uneven pitch. Neither side allowed their opposite numbers many opportunities with both defences being solid and well-organised.
Bolehall will probably regret a gilt-edged opportunity to go ahead in the third minute when Dave Yonwin played a neat pass to Chris Cowley who scooped the ball over the Bromsgrove back-four beating Bedford between the sticks only to see his shot bounce off the post.
With much of the game played in the middle of the park chances were few but Bedford made the best save of the first half diving low after David Boal shot though a crowded penalty area.
Sporting meanwhile struggled to get the ball to the two strikers and the best chance fell to midfielder Reece Hewitt but his weak effort was easily gathered by Bolehall 'keeper Paul Hathaway
After the interval, Swifts pushed forward quickly and after winning a free-kick just outside the box, Adam Goodby hit the woodwork again, this time the bar with a well-taken place kick.
That really was the last good chance for Bolehall as Sporting had the better of the possession of the second half and with just 10 minutes to go Will Tibbetts was adjudged to have been pushed over in the box but Hathaway guessed right and dived low to save Simon Fitter's spot kick.
With the proceedings still unresolved on 90 minutes, extra time was played and The Rouslers did get the ball up front a little more with Tibbetts and Jack Wilson going close but the best chance fell to substitute Tim Bradley who just failed to toe-poke home an excellent cross from Wilson.
In the subsequent penalty shoot-out, Bedford saved Bolehall's first effort only for Hathaway to immediately save from Will Tibbetts. After cancelling each other out, Bradley made it 4-3 then Bedford saved from Chris Sturridge-Parker to give Sporting the tie with much cheering from the away supporters.
Coach Martin Sockett admitted after the match that it was a tough game against a good side saying, "I thought we deserved the win, showed a lot of resilience and in difficult conditions played some good football".
Sporting will now be at home to Uttoxter Town in the next round, the quarter-final, which will be played in the New Year.
Bolehall: Paul Hathaway (Capt), Richard Deavall, Jamie Abbott, Jon Huckfield, Ryan Millerchip, Michael Pollard (Chris Sturridge-Parker 78 mins), Scott Goodby, Adam Goodby, Dave Yonwin (Tom Lapworth 46 mins), Chris Cowley, David Boal (Michael Thompson 69 mins).
Unused substitute: Dave Haywood.
Yellows: Jamie Abbott (43 mins), Adam Goodby (56 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Danny Morris, Simon Fitter, Scott Smith (Capt, Lewis Clarke 90 mins), Craig Jones, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt, Sean Brain (Tim Bradley 108 mins), Sam Wills (Danny Lennon 63 mins), Jack Wilson.
Unused substitutes: Ryan Mahon, Orrin Pendley
Yellow: Chris Duggan (26 mins)
Referee: Mr A Parker (Coalville)
Assistants: Mr A Gopshill (Birmingham), Mr C Beecham (Tamworth)
Attendance: 75
Weather: Cold, overcast.
Sporting Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt |