Once again, the Rouslers return from an East Midlands FA Vase tie empty handed after losing 2-1 to Nottingham based Dunkirk. Paul Smith, Sporting's first team manager, will wonder how the team managed to lose a tie that his team dominated for long periods.
Approaching 100 Sporting fans made the 65 mile journey to the leafy Ron Steel Sports ground to see the team in action after a couple of weeks of football free Saturdays. With a warm sun slowly setting behind the tall trees at the far end of the ground the match started at a fast pace with the visitors enjoying the best of the opening exchanges.
Sporting, playing in green, were causing Dunkirk many problems especially with Reece Hewitt's close control and the energetic Aaron Roberts strong running. The first chance of the match fell to the long limbed Josh Mackenzie who was put through on goal by a Connor Collins header only to see the on rushing Dunkirk keeper, save with is legs.
Dunkirk then demonstrated how to finish when danger man Dave Webb picked up the ball and ran through the Sporting defence and calmly rounded Josh Moreton to open the scoring in the 9th minute.
The match was opening up with Dunkirk relying on a counter attacking style and Sporting pressing and probing but relying on high balls to the front 2 that the home side defended easily.
Dunkirk continued to show why they play in a higher league with some neat passing out of trouble and resolute tackling when the opposition has the ball. Mr Oldham, today's referee, drew many complaints from the Sporting dugout when he booked Reece Hewitt for a foul in the 26th minute after similar Dunkirk tackles on the Rouslers playmaker when unpunished! From the resulting free kick Josh Moreton gathered well and cleared to set up another Bromsgrove attack.
Dunkirk were breaking up the visitors attacks in the midfield through some strong challenges and picked up a couple of yellow cards in quick succession with the Greens failing to generate clear chances.
In the 37th minute Sporting's failure to convert possession into goals was severely punished when Wood again picked up the ball on the Dunkirk right and set off in a mazy run that took him past several players before firing passed Moreton in the Bromsgrove goal.
On 2-0 down, many sides would try to hold out to half time, and then regroup. That is not Sporting's way, and once again they pushed and probed at the Dunkirk rear-guard and when Reece Hewitt pounced on a high ball over the Dunkirk defence, the left back's robust challenge was deemed a foul and Hewitt tucked away the resultant penalty. A few seconds after the restart the referee signalled half time.
With the Sun now settling behind the imposing Imperial Tobacco Works Sporting started the second period with renewed resolve and continued as they finished the first with Hewitt and Roberts finding space and time down the right channel.
The first chance of the half fell to Hewitt who after running down the left wing, found Josh McKenzie in the area. The big striker's shot on the turn was blocked, Hewitt picked up the rebound but his powerful effort was straight at the 'keeper.
Just after the hour mark, Paul Smith looked to change things around a little with Connor Collins replaced by Sean Brain. The change almost brought an immediate result when the speedy striker was put through on goal but showed the keeper too much of the ball and he save well at the player's feet.
Sporting continued to grow into the match and a tiring Dunkirk compressing the game and waiting for the eager forwards to break to early and run offside. The last throw of the dice was made in the 78th Minute with Dale Edwards and Ethan Hanks replacing Wilson and the hard-working Sam Wills.
The visiting fans' frustrations were growing, as the Rouslers were caught offside time after time by a well-marshalled Dunkirk back four. In the 87th minute a well-timed run beat the trap and McKenzie was through on goal again, a collective groan was emitted when the Dunkirk keeper saved the strikers shot.
With a visibly tiring Dunkirk causing no problems for Bromsgrove, Luke Dugmore pushed and probed, closing down high up the pitch and causing hasty clearances from the Nottinghamshire's team defence.
In the 89th minute a poor clearance allowed a deep cross to find Sean Brain free at the far post. The Rouslers striker made a great contact with the dipping centre and the last chance for the Greens disappeared with the ball as it headed over the bar and towards the River Trent.
Dunkirk saw out the last few minutes and looked relieved at hearing the final whistle. Sporting were better on the day but their failure to convert chances sees then crash out of the FA vase.
Dunkirk: Jake Want, Lewis Wilcox, Dan Fletcher, Lee Stevenson, Ryan Hastie, Matt Ellis, David Webb, Joe Bloomfield, Phil Massingham, Tristram Whitman, Sam Osbourne.
Subs: Oliver Clarke, Macauley Diuk, Jarrod Westcarr
Subs not used: Tom Dudley, Jon Twentyman,
Goals: David Webb (08, 36 mins)
Sporting: Josh Moreton, Aaron Roberts, Brendan Kelly, Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, Luke Dugmore, Sam Wills (Ethan Hanks 76 mins), Reece Hewitt, Josh McKenzie, Connor Collins (Sean Brain 62 mins), Jack Wilson (Dale Edwards 76 mins).
Subs not used: Sam Delaney, James McKeon.
Goal: Reece Hewitt (44 mins - penalty)
Referee: Mr J Oldham (Mickleover))
Attendance: 111
Rouslers Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt
Reporter: Rob McLaren |