Coventry Copeswood 1 Sporting 4
Midland Football League Division One, Saturday 19th December 2015
Sometimes you need the rub of the green with a few decisions going your way. Especially when you are playing one of the top teams in the division in Bromsgrove Sporting, whose supporters made up most of the crowd.
We weren't quite good enough in truth. But the scoreline flattered the visitors and how we ended up with nine players on the pitch is a question only the referee could answer.
The first attack of note was a twisting run by Ryan Harkin and his shot was parried by the Bromsgrove goalie. Bromsgrove hit the bar and seemed set to score from another attack before Jordan Simms timely intervention.
They did however take the lead when a Nathan Walker free kick deflected off Matthew Mitchell's head over Dale O'Donnell in the Copsewood goal.
Off to the clubhouse at half time. Where Mr and Mrs Wickens were kept busy with a steady stream of customers. While they also provided the excellent buffet. Meanwhile Don told us that sheep had been invading the Alvis pitch from a neighbouring farm. The problems you get in non-league football!
The second half saw Ryan Harkin nearly score after a mix up in the Bromsgrove defence. Chris Wilson-King cut inside and his venemous shot was well saved by Bromsgrove's goalie as Copsewood applied some pressure. Danny Fraser then had an inswinging shot that was tipped over the bar.
The turning point in the match came as Bromsgrove broke away and George Whitelaw slid in to hook the ball away from the striker who was clean through on goal. The referee blew his whistle and ran over to consult the linesman! After a minutes deliberation. He sent off George Whitelaw and awarded a penalty. Without the benefit of an action replay I couldn't tell if the decision was correct and I am pretty sure the match officials couldn't either.
Anyway the penalty was struck against the post and away to safety. Bromsgrove did make it 2-0 from a free kick on the left hand side. Nathan Walker curled an excellent shot into the top corner. Dale save another free kick. Before an excellent move by Copsewood saw Martin Gormley fire just over the bar.
Bromsgrove's Liam Spink made it 3-0 with an easy shot at the far post as the Copsewood defence became stretched and it was 4-0 a couple of minutes later with Connor Collins racing through and around Dale to slot the ball home. Craig Civzelis was then red carded. Presumably for a comment to the referee. To complete an unwanted hat-trick. He then sent Stuart Dutton off from the bench. But the nine men had the final word as a cross from the right was emphatically headed home by Martin Gormley.
We have another tough match on Boxing day against the runaway league leaders at Coventry Sphinx's ground.
Copsewood Subs:- Adam Civzelis for Reese Blackmore, Martin Gormley for Ryan Harkin, Sean Gaffney for Chris Wilson-King.
Bromsgrove Sporting Team:- 1.Christopher Jay, 2. Aaron Roberts, 3. Jack Wilson, 4. Nathan Walker, 5. Craig Jones , 6. Jake Willcox, 7. Sam Wills 8. Liam Spink 9. Connor Collins, 10. Kyle Turner, 11. Dale Edwards.
Subs: L.Dugmore, E Hanks, S Brain, L.Corbett, R. Hewitt.
Attendance: 78 |