Two moments of first half wonder from Reece Hewitt helped guide Bromsgrove Sporting to a 3-0 victory against Leicester Road in the Midland Football League Division One.
The home side only had the wait three minutes for the opener when Hewitt finished off a wonderful team move with an emphatic strike into the roof of the net.
He doubled his tally on the 35th minute, as his jinking run left the Leicester Road defence at sixes and sevens and the resultant shot sailed home. Substitute Sean Brain made it 3 deep into the second half with a neat finish.
Sporting's afternoon got off to the best possible start with Hewitt's incredible drive, which would not have been possible were it not for some neat interplay between wingmen Will Tibbetts and Liam Spink, with Spink's well weighted pass teed up perfectly for Hewitt to dispatch.
Leicester had their chances to level proceedings, with James Hicks having a header sent around the post from the ever-reliable Chris Jay and Amavir Sandhu's shot being blocked on the line by a resolute Tibbetts.
However, that was to be Sandhu's last effort on goal, as he was sent off a minute later for a head butt in the midst of a corner being whipped in.
Leicester's attacking prowess seemed to wane slightly as a result and Sporting made them pay, as Hewitt went on a nimble run that bamboozled the defence and the shot that followed skimmed across the ground, past a helpless Will Highland between the sticks and into the bottom corner.
Sporting's tempo dropped considerably in the second half and it made for quite a turgid affair. Nathan Walker and Jack Wilson had long range efforts that did nothing more than threaten the goal, whilst Connor Collins had a shot saved at Highland's near post.
The visitors almost found a way back into the game fifteen minutes from home but Tom McGlinchey's effort was deflected wide.
But the result was beyond all doubt on the 79th minute, as Brain found some space on the outskirts of the area and squeezed a shot past Highland and into the bottom corner.
Another solid display for Sporting as they heap more pressure on leaders Coventry United; they will be wanting to keep it up as they face Bolehall Swifts in a re-arranged fixture at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Walker, Craig Jones (Capt), Jake Willcox, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt (Dale Edwards 60 mins), Connor Collins, Kyle Turner (Sean Brain 65 mins), Liam Spink (Sean Brain 65 mins).
Subs not used: Ethan Hanks, Brendan Kelly.
Goals: Hewitt (3, 35 mins), Brain (79 mins)
Yellow (Spink 8 mins)
Leicester Road: Will Highland, Joe Lyne, Jack Harrison, Jake Holt, Callum Riley, Josh Smith, Sam Munton (Matt Stenson 46 mins), Greg Downes (Capt.), James Hicks (Luke Kingsley-Smith 62 mins), Tom McGlinchey, Amavir Sandhu.
Subs not used: Andy Farren, James Hartland, Ricky Blewitt.
Yellow: Riley (4 mins)
Red: Sandhu (26 mins)
Referee Mr A Ellis (Shirley)
Assistants: Mr A Clarke (King's Heath), Mr A Barton (Edgbaston)
Crowd: 412
Weather: Cold, damp
Sporting Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt
Reporter: Max Banner |