Manager Paul Smith must have had Saturday's tough league match against Coventry United in mind when he went for a mixture of youth and experience in tonight's team. In the end the Rouslers gained a comfortable win seeing them through to the next round when they face either Lichfield City or Earlswood Town.
Sporting tested Daniel Dawson in goal for Inkberrow several times from the kick-off but never really gave him a too much trouble until the 28th minute when Ethan Hanks, making his first start after moving up from the under 21s, made a weaving run from the halfway line down the left before making a pin-point cross into the box. That found Connor Collins whose hard-struck shot hit the roof of the net via Dawson's gloves after the keeper's attempt to save.
Reece Hewitt was unlucky not to get his team's second when he hit the underside of the bar three minutes later as was Sean Brain who headed just over with 37 minutes on the clock.
The second though was eventually delivered three minutes before half-time thanks to a cross from Craig Jones, up field moments before for a corner, who found the hard-working Dale Edwards who fired home from 15 yards wide of Dawson's outstretched right-arm.
After the interval the away team attempted to close down the Sporting supply lines in midfield and get forward themselves but they did not count on the home back four who managed to mop up every incursion into their territory apart from one effort from Craig Walker giving Josh Moreton between the sticks for Bromsgrove a rare chance to save.
However and in fairness to Inkberrow's defence it took until the 70th minute for Sporting to increase their lead. Craig Jones was unceremoniously bundled over in the box giving Ethan Hanks the opportunity to open his account from the penalty spot.
Sean Brain scored number four on 78 minutes whilst Dale Edwards got a deserved second and Sporting's fifth with six minutes to go when he beat three tiring defenders and curled an exquisite shot into the top of Dawson's net.
Sporting won this cup two years ago but crashed out in the first round last season. They will still want to add their name again to the trophy winners. However there is just a matter of the match against league leaders Coventry United to get behind them first.
Sporting: Josh Moreton, Aaron Roberts, Sam Delaney, Simon Fitter (Capt.), Craig Jones, Ethan Hanks, Sean Brain, Reece Hewitt (Luke Dugmore 54 mins), Connor Collins (Ryan Pierpoint 54 mins), Sam Wills (Lucky Nwosu 54 mins), Dale Edwards.
Substitute not used: James McKeon.
Goals: Collins (28 mins), Edwards (42, 84 mins), Hanks (70 mins, penalty), Brain (78 mins)
Cards: None
Inkberrow: Daniel Dawson, Sean Parish, Nick Gregson-Jones (Nathan Davies 72 mins), Dan Read, Callum Davies (Capt.), Billy Coughlin, Harry Coughlin (Callum Cook 53 mins), George Thomas, Steve McManus (Craig Walker 53 mins), Nathan Simon, Alex Griffiths.
Substitute not used: Chris Parish.
Yellow: Nick Gregson-Jones (35 mins)
Referee: Mr R Cheosiaua (Redditch)
Assistants: Mr M Latham (Redditch), Mr J T Harris (Redditch)
Crowd: 188
Weather: Mild, dry.
Sporting MoM: Ethan Hanks
Report: Phil Baker |