GOALS at either end of the game ensured Bromsgrove Sporting booked their place in the last four of the Midlands League Challenge Cup.
The Rouslers are now one game away from the final, which is to be played at Walsall's Bescot Stadium.
Sean Brain had opened the scoring inside the first minute but substitute Dan Carter wrapped up the win with an eye-catching strike at the death.
At times, Sporting made it hard for themselves as they failed to take numerous chances but proved resilient enough to hold off a direct Uttoxeter outfit.
Sporting boss Paul Smith was without cup-tied hitman Matt Gardner and the unavailable Chris Conway but in young hitman Brain they boasted a live wire.
The youngster broke the deadlock 46 seconds after the kick-off, when he pounced on a poor pass by defender Doug Price and calmly slotted a right-footed shot beyond keeper Alex Langridge.
The Rouslers looked the most dangerous side in the first half and created a host of chances to increase their lead.
But they were also looking vulnerable to high balls into the box and captain Simon Fitter showed his experience to head a cross back to shot-stopper Jake Bedford.
Reece Hewitt saw an effort deflected wide in the tenth minute, while Jakab saw had a smart volley saved by Langridge moments later.
Brain proved to be a constant menace for the hosts and a probing pass by Fitter allowed the nippy forward to burst into the box but he took one too many touches as Uttoxeter's defence regrouped to crowd him out.
The away side's best chance to score fell to their right back Mark Springall, who saw a well struck 20-yard effort fly over the bar.
Sporting attacker Wills was shown a yellow card for a firm challenge on Olly Mellor, who was carried off and replaced by John Atherton. Joe Adams then came on for Wills.
Brain then could not put the finishing touches to a zippy passing move.
Uttoxeter nearly made it 1-1 in the second minute of the second half but Bedford rushed put to block James Curley's shot.
Sporting carved out a gilt edged scoring chance in the 56th minute. Jakab raced down the left and delivered a raking low cross which evaded Brain at the far post.
Bedford was called into action by a firm long range effort from Lee Bagley.
Hewitt also squandered a good chance when he volleyed wide from close range from a dangerous Carter cross.
As the game became more nervy, chances came at a premium but the impressive Carter cut through the Uttoxeter defence and slipped the ball to Hewitt, who saw his rising effort athletically saved by Langridge.
But the victory was sealed by the impressive Carter in the 91st minute. The winger spotted the keeper off the line and from 30-yards beat him with a sublime chip.
Sporting: Bedford, Mahon, Wilson, Fitter, Jones, Smith, Tibbetts, Hewitt, Jakab (Morris, 62), Wills (Adams, 41), Brain (Carter, 62). Subs not used: Bradley, Pendley.
Uttoxeter: Langridge, Springall, Johnson, Sowter (Hornsey, 62), Price, Bagley, Gadsby, Holley (Beardsley, 80), Curley, Ritchie, Mellor (Atherton, 35).
Subs not used: Marshman, Lamburn.
Report by Peter McKinney (Bromsgrove Advertiser) |