After losing at home to Highgate on the first match of the season last August this was the match that everybody had not just looked forward to playing but winning as well. And that is how it turned out with Sporting coming away with the three points after a pulsating game.
Conditions were not perfect with a strong cross-wind blowing across an uneven and sloping pitch but Sporting were fortunate in winning the toss and electing to play with a bright low sun behind them.
Highgate though were quickly into action with Lei Brown putting a useful shot from a free-kick just over the bar with a couple of minutes on the clock. Simon Fitter responded when he went close with a free-kick on the fourth minute.
However it was the home side who took the lead again from a set piece. Tom Lacey putting a free-kick in the box from just over the halfway line. This was met by lanky Scott Turner who virtually unmarked put a clean header into the top left hand corner of the Sporting net.
The Rouslers responded quickly and pushed forward against a Highgate side who marked tightly and worked hard to close down their opponents giving them little time on the ball. Reece Hewitt was unlucky not to get the equaliser when his 20-yard half-volley hit Connor McCarthy's right-hand post.
The equaliser though did eventually come on the 20th minute when the lively Jack Wilson won a corner. This was taken by Will Tibbetts who curled a fine ball to the far post only to see it go straight in over the line. Perhaps with a little help from the gusty wind but a well-taken effort nevertheless.
Twelve minutes later, Sporting were in the lead thanks to Simon Fitter' s expertise at long-range free-kicks. He floated an inch-perfect ball in the Highgate penalty area from the centre circle. This evaded the back four and Craig Jones was on hand to slide home from a few yards out.
The home side were clearly rattled at losing their lead and this came to a head when Nathan Edgington was shown a straight red card after a late challenge on Danny Morris into the defender's ankles.
After a lively first-half, the second proceeded at a slower pace with Sporting pretty much in control and using the spare man to defend their narrow lead. Highgate did attempt to push forward but the away side's defence remained solid.
On 76 minutes, Sporting's pressure finally brought them another goal. Reece Hewitt broke free down the left side, dummied one defender then delivered a pin-point cross to an unmarked Will Tibbetts who easily headed past Connor McCarthy for his second of the game.
Manager Paul Smith brought on fresh legs in the form of Sean Brain and Chrisi Conway and their running at the tiring home defence started to cause problems and with several good moves Sporting were unlucky not to add to the scoresheet.
Finally after playing an extra five minutes, referee Mr Hubbard blew for full-time much to the relief of the 100 plus contingent of Bromsgrove fans who had witnessed Sporting's toughest match of the season.
At the end, Paul Smith said "The team had a big challenge today, we played well and we have come away with a good result. We are now looking to build on this win starting at Bolehall next week".
Highgate: Connor McCarthy, Tyrone Smith (James Loney 78 mins), Nathan Pulisciano, Dean Curtis, Scott Turner, Trevor Edwards (Capt.), Tom Lacey, Martin Crawford (Brett Fellows 87 mins), Nathan Edgington, Liam O'Shea (Connor Mooney 46 mins), Lei Brown.
Unused substitutes: Danny Rolfe, Shaun Hayes.
Goal: Scott Turner (9 mins)
Red: Nathan Edgington (36 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Ryan Mahon, Danny Morris, Simon Fitter (Capt.), Craig Jones, Scott Smith, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt, Jozsef Jakab (Sean Brain 70 mins), Sam Wills (Chrisi Conway 80 mins), Jack Wilson (Lewis Clarke 64 mins).
Unused substitutes: Ross Dempster, Chris Duggan.
Scorers: Will Tibbetts (19, 77 mins), Craig Jones (33 mins),
Referee: Mr G Hubbard (Halesowen)
Assistants: Mr N Rageh (Rubery), Mr M Slater (Dudley)
Attendance: 209
Weather: Sunny, gusty.
Sporting Man of the Match: Craig Jones. |