A record crowd saw Bromsgrove Sporting breeze to a 3-0 victory over Pershore Town in the Midland Football League Division One on Saturday afternoon.
A delicately placed Simon Fitter free kick from just outside the area got the home side's afternoon off to the best possible start after a quarter of an hour.
Further goals from Liam Spink and Sean Brain helped Sporting to record another league win, with 553 people in attendance on what was "Non League Day".
Spink almost opened the scoring on twelve minutes but his shot was wide of the post. However, Fitter was more accurate with his free kick, which followed a fowl on the lively Connor Collins. Keeping the ball low, it sailed past the wall and into the bottom corner.
Sporting almost double their lead after half an hour when a Luke Dugmore corner came to Ricardo Richards, who hoisted his volley over the bar as he seeks his first goal on his return to the club.
Richards was to be involved in the second goal though, his blocked effort inside the box fell to Spink, whose effort collided off the underside of the bar and into the net, giving Sporting breathing space as they headed into the break.
The Rouslers almost added to their tally after the interval, but squandered numerous chances. Pershore keeper Andrew Yarnold saved shots from Collins and Spink plus another free kick from Fitter that was destined for the top corner.
Substitute Brain had three chances of putting the game to bed inside the final ten minutes. The first a shot struck wide after some neat interplay with Reece Hewitt, the second well saved by Yarnold but the third was coolly placed into the corner after benefiting from a pinpoint Spink pass.
For the second Saturday in a row, the talismanic Brain scored with virtually the last kick of the game and it sealed what was a routine victory for Sporting, with goalkeeper Josh Moreton having a fairly quiet afternoon.
Sporting: Josh Moreton, Aaron Roberts, Brendan Kelly (Capt), Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, James McKeon (Sean Brain 67 mins), Liam Spink, Reece Hewitt, Connor Collins (Dale Edwards 82 mins) Ricardo Richards (Josh McKenzie 76 mins), Luke Dugmore.
Subs not used: Sam Delaney, Ollie Gibson
Goals: Fitter (15 mins), Spink (44 mins), Brain (90+3 mins)
Yellow: Roberts (72 mins)
Pershore: Andrew Yarnold, Steve Webb, Jack Donnelly, Peter Jenvey (Jacob Snape 60 mins), Adam Guest, James Walker, Dan Carter, Joe Walsh, Stuart Hall (Grant Baker 74 mins), Craig Connor, Steven Roche.
Subs not used: Matt Mitchell, Shaun Griffith, Jake Bastable.
Yellows: Connor (63 mins), Walsh (72 mins)
Referee: Mr B Hall (Great Barr)
Assistants: Mr R Osbourne (Halesowen), Mr V O'Reilly (Selly Oak)
Crowd: 553
Weather: Mild breezy.
Sporting MoM: Liam Spink
Reporter: Max Banner |