Two goals in each half saw Bromsgrove Sporting win their first home game of 2011 in dominant style against Cadbury Athletic Reserves.
Sporting started quickly and Gavin Flower in Cadbury's goal had to make three saves in the first few minutes as Odane Barnes and Jamie Siviter tested his resolve. It was almost 10 minutes before Cadburys threatened as Neil Cooksey conceded a free kick inside the "D" on the edge of the area but the resulting shot failed to trouble keeper McGettrick as it sailed over the bar.
Sporting continued to press and Zac Blood was responsible for sending a number of decent crosses into the Cadbury area which needed some last ditch defending to keep Sporting at bay. Flower stood firm at his near post as Barnes tried to beat him from a tight angle.
Sporting pressure finally told on 22 minutes when another Blood cross was met with an impressive header from Barnes which looped into the net out of the keeper's reach for the opening goal. The rest of the half continued in similar vein with Cadburys making occasional forays into Sporting territory and forcing the odd corner but Sporting were generally on top without being able to add to their total until right on half-time.
The second goal was another header, this time from Jamie Siviter and to the amusement of the crowd the visiting keeper stood and watched, seemingly expecting the ball to drift wide of the target, until it was too late to make a save as the header caught the foot of the post and rebounded into the net. Half-time was reached seconds after the restart with Sporting leading 2 - 0.
The second half was played out with Sporting buoyant and they added to the lead when on 54 minutes, Siviter reacted first to a block from a Blood corner and volleyed home. That seemed to be the end of the scoring as Sporting were unable to unlock the Cadbury's defence again despite a Barnes run outpacing the defence and a number of shots raining in on the beleaguered Flower.
In the last minute, Sporting did add a fourth goal as a foul just inside the area meant that after a debate between the referee and his assistant Siviter was able to complete his hat-trick from the spot.
The win lifts Sporting to second in the table as other matches were called off and rivals Henley lost at Enville.
Bromsgrove Sporting: Jim McGettrick, gareth Rogers Nick Allen, Neil Cooksey, Jamie McKeon (Jordan Siviter 62 mins), Chris Bright (Joe Brookes 69 mins), Dan Wilkes, Jamie Rogers, Zac Blood, Jamie Siviter,Odane Barnes (Shaun May 81 mins).
Subs not used: Oliver O'Connell, Robin Layton.
Cadbury Athletic Reserves: Gavin Flower, Nick Watkins, Chris Thorn, Andrew Cook (Capt.) James Perry (Adam Osborne 67 mins), Kevin Heely, Arran Pedley (Harris Ferris-Day 75 mins), Elliott Smith, Luke Hill, Josh Kelly (Craig Spink 46 mins), Ricky Reid. Sub not used. Jon Slater. |