Not the best of evenings for Sporting who failed to defend the trophy they won last season falling at the first hurdle.
After a convincing win against Pelsall last Saturday confidence was not a problem and so it proved with the visitors dominating the early stages of the match. Chrisi Conway playing up front had a low drive saved in the 3rd minute and should have done better then ballooning the ball over the bar six minutes later.
Meanwhile Sean Brain was proving to be a handful for the Littleton defence with his pace and nimble dribbling and it was via his efforts that Sporting got their goal when he was brought down just outside the penalty area. Sam Wills took the free-kick that went over the wall in into the top left-hand corner of the net well away from keeper Hadyn Whitcombe's outstretched arm.
Sporting continued to dominate proceedings for the remainder of the half. Chris Duggan peppered numerous balls into the box from right-back and despite getting into some good scoring positions the Rouslers failed to increase their lead.
After half-time play continued where it left off with Sporting camped in the Littleton half. Matt Gardner provided a good chance on 47 minutes with a powerful header that Whitcombe tipped on to his bar and with some relief saw it go out for a corner.
Then came one of those incidents that somehow turn the game. Chrissi Conway collided with the perimeter fencing and was off the pitch several minutes before re-emerging with a bandage round a head wound. During that time the home side attempted to take advantage of the extra man and for the first time in the match looked dangerous and started to stretch the away defence.
However Sporting tried to put the match beyond their hosts and thought they had done it when Gardner put the ball in the net on 54 minutes only to see his effort ruled offside.
Defender Craig Jones substituted midfielder Reece Hewitt whilst Conway was still looking a bit shaken and was replaced by Dan Carter.
Littleton though now had a spring in their steps, moving the ball round well and placing some awkward crosses into the opposition box. Sure enough their efforts brought a reward on 80 minutes when a long ball out of defence evaded the Sporting back four to be picked up by the lively Jack Creswell who chipped Jake Bedford from around 15 yards out for the equaliser.
Two minutes later Daniel Holloway eluded the Bromsgrove offside trap and with the back four in some disarray hit home a low shot under the diving Bedford to give his side the lead.
With several added minutes Sporting pushed forward to square things up. Scott Smith forced Whitcombe into a good save following a corner but in the end it was Littleton's night who rightly celebrated a well-earned victory.
Littleton: Hadyn Whitcombe, Jake Wilson, Will Gayton, Robbie Bunn, Tim Beattie, Sean Cooke, Callum Clarke (Capt.), Nathan Hayward, Daniel Holloway, Jack Cresswell, Kyonn Evans (Luke Rowlands 73 mins).
Unused substitutes: Joseph Smith, Umit Eminoglu, Michael Clough, Glen Sitch.
Goals: Jack Cresswell (80 mins), Daniel Holloway (82 mins)
Yellows: Jake Wilcox (19 mins).
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Danny Morris, Simon Fitter, Scott Smith, Joe Adams, Sam Wills, Reece Hewitt (Craig Jones 60 mins), Chrisi Conway (Dan Carter 68 mins), Matt Gardner, Sean Brain.
Unused substitutes: Will Tibbetts, Lewis Clarke, Ryan Mahon.
Goal: Sam Wills (15 mins)
Referee: Mr P Rodway (Rubery)
Assistants: Mr A Scriven (Northfield), Mr N Rageh (Rubery)
Attendance: 160
Weather: Cold, dry.
Sporting Man of the Match: Chris Duggan |