A thrilling and pulsating match played in front of a large crowd saw Bromsgrove Sporting overcome a skilful and determined Southam United to win the Midland Football League's Les James Challenge Cup.
With Sporting playing in a prestigious stadium for the first time, the large crowd made up of mainly Bromsgrove supporters were in a noisy and celebratory mood even before the players came on to the pitch to tumultuous applause.
From the kick-off, both teams started at a frantic pace and it soon became obvious that this Southam side was better team than that Sporting beat 7-0 just before Christmas. Former Rousler Chris Bright had the first real opportunity on the 4th minute but his shot was blocked by Jack Wilson, whilst a couple of minutes later Josh McKenzie went just wide of the left hand post.
The game though turned on the 10th minute when Wilson was adjudged to have handled in the box and Mr Postin immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Louis Bridges duly despatched for Southam sending Jake Bedford the wrong way.
Cue for Sporting to get their act together who then attempted to stretch their opponents by moving the ball around more. Aaron Williams had a good attempt cleared off the line but the equaliser came on the 19th minutes from Reece Hewitt whose hard-hit angled shot went wide of Tom Cross between the Southam sticks after a good interchange of passes with Josh McKenzie.
For the remainder of the half there was no let up with the action. Both teams exchanged blows in pretty equal measure but after good work in mid-field nobody really tested either goalkeeper. The best chance going to Sam Wills a minute before the interval but his shot hit the side netting.
The second period continued in much the same vein with plenty of effort and hard work from both sides with the respective back fours holding firm though Bedford had to make a good save from a point-blank Bridges' shot on 54 minutes.
Sporting brought on substitutes Sean Brain and Chrisi Conway to give them a bit more firepower up front and Conway was in action pretty quickly getting behind the Southam defence but his eventual shot went well wide of the right-hand post.
With Sporting edging the play, it was a bit of a surprise when Southam again took the lead on the 74th minute after a fast break up field, Thomas found himself in a good position on the edge of the Rouslers' box and fired home a screamer from 25 yards giving the diving Bedford no chance.
The Bromsgrove response was quick getting back on level terms just a couple of minutes later as Williams hooked a ball into the box which found Wills who turned and fired low into the corner of Cross' net.
Southam's use of the offside trap was looking increasingly risky. McKenzie was caught a couple of times but got past on 77 minutes only for his shot to be saved but moments later the long-limbed striker found himself in a much better position and after waiting for Cross to commit himself, slid a well-placed shot under the advancing 'keeper to give Sporting the lead from 15 yards out.
The Bromsgrove side had another couple of chances to increase their lead but found Ross in good form. However, the final word might have gone to Southam as substitute Stefan Grudzinski beat Bedford and grazed the right-hand post on the 90th minute.
Referee Mr Postin played just 4 minutes of adding time before finishing the game and allowing Sporting to collect their second trophy in five days.
Southam: Tom Cross, Jack Brighton, Lee Thomas, Myles Jones, Matty Hunt, Max Crisp (Stefan Grudzinski 86 mins), Chris Bright (Andy Yeates 75 mins), James Hardie, Tunde Ajibade, Louis Bridges (Capt, Suki Hijjar 65 mins), Callum Yeates
Subs not used: Quentin Townsend, James Keller
Scorers: Louis Bridges (10 mins, penalty), Lee Thomas (74 mins)
Cards: None
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Danny Morris, Jack Wilson, Aaron Williams (69 mins), Craig Jones, Scott Smith (Capt.), Will Tibbetts (Sean Brain 62 mins), Sam Wills, Reece Hewitt, Josh McKenzie (Jozsef Jakab 89 mins), Sam Wills, Joe Adams (Chrisi Conway 62 mins).
Subs not used: Chris Duggan, Sam Delaney.
Scorers: Reece Hewitt (19 mins), Sam Wills (76 mins), Josh McKenzie (78 mins)
Cards: Danny Morris (83)
Referee Mr S Postin (Coventry)
Assistants: Mr P Rodway (Rubery), Mr A Jeffrey (Sutton Coldfield).
4th Official: Mr T Reeves (Coventry)
Crowd: 550
Weather: Cool, Breezy.
Sporting Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt |