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Tue 16th Feb 2016 @ 19:45 - Victoria Ground Attendance: 226
Bromsgrove Sporting
2 - 0
Lichfield City
Referee: Mr. L. Teraud (Halesowen) Midland Football League / Division 1

Goalscorers
Sean Brain (64)
Sean Brain (90)
None
Starting Line-ups
Chris Jay
Aaron Roberts
Jack Wilson
Craig Jones
Jake Willcox
Nathan Walker
Liam Spink
Will Tibbetts
Reece Hewitt
Dale Edwards
Kyle Turner
Connor McCarthy
Richard Robinson
Dexter Ravenhill
Keenan Meakin-Richards
Daniel Morris
Peter Folkes
Andre Francis
Martin Crawford
Tony Clarke
Dave Yonwin
Tom Evans
Substitutes
Brendan Kelly
Dean Fisher
Ethan Hanks
Connor Collins
Sean Brain
Michael Evans
Joe Haines
Gavin Hurren
Jeorge Smith
Trea Bertie
Substitutions
Sean Brain -> Nathan Walker (61)
Connor Collins -> Kyle Turner (61)
Michael Evans -> Dave Yonwin (67)
Joe Haines -> Tom Evans (67)
Gavin Hurren -> Dexter Ravenhill (90)
Yellow cards
Nathan Walker (32)
Jake Willcox (56)
Jack Wilson (79)
Keenan Meakin-Richards (37)
Dexter Ravenhill (38)
Martin Crawford (78)
Red cards
None Peter Folkes (79)
Match Report | Programme
After the disappointment of last Saturday's home defeat to Nuneaton Griff, Sporting bounced back in style to record a worthy win against Lichfield City.

The inspired introduction of Sean Brain in the second half saw him score the two goals in an entertaining match on a cold night at the Victoria Ground.

There was little to choose between the two teams in the first period as the half-time score of nil all suggested but both teams had their opportunities to get their noses in front.
The visitors had the first good chance on the 17th minute when Peter Folkes chipped a free-kick into the Sporting box to Tony Clarke but his effort was blocked by 'keeper Chris Jay's feet.

The home side were regularly getting close but little threatened the Lichfield net. Kyle Turner blasted over on 22 minutes whilst Dale Edwards failed to get any pace on the ball a minute later that stopper Connor McCarthy easily gathered.

Probably the best effort came from Lichfield on 37 minutes again from Clarke who wriggled round three defenders before hitting a low shot that Chris Jay did well to keep out of the corner of his net.

The match continued pretty much in the same vein after the break with neither team able to take a firm grip but all that changed on 62 minutes when Sean Brain replaced Nathan Walker. The nippy striker was in action seconds after his arrival with a low angled shot that beat McCarthy but went wide agonisingly wide of the post.

However three minutes later Sporting finally took the lead. Dale Edwards swung over a corner that was easily cleared by the Lichfield defence but only to Will Tibbetts who then passed to Edwards whose sublime cross into the box went straight to Brain's feet allowing him volleyed home from a few yards out.

Cue for Lichfield to push forward from whom Jay made a desperate save after a goalmouth scramble minutes later though the other substitute Connor Collins came close to doubling the Rouslers' lead but his shot went just wide of McCarthy's left-hand post.

On 78 minutes a Bromsgrove attack failed and the ball went out for a goal kick but as players started moving up-field, an altercation broke out in the penalty area when Folkes appeared to strike Collins. After consulting his linesman, referee Mr Teraud sent the burly defender off for an early shower whilst a bemused Jack Wilson was cautioned for arguing.

Although down to 10 men, the visitors kept the Sporting back four busy but at the expense leaving themselves exposed at the back. This paid dividends for Sporting three minutes into added time when Brain picked up a ball just outside the box, dummied one defender then sent a low drive past McCarthy for his and his team's second of the night.

Moments later Mr Teraud blew for the end, to much jubilation from the Shed End who had probably witnessed one of the best performances of the season.

Speaking after the match, coach Martin Sockett said, "This was a very professional performance and a good win against a useful side".

With Coventry United losing at Cadbury's, Sporting are back to two points behind the leaders but having played a game more. Plenty still to play for with the next match at Heather St Johns this Saturday.

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Walker (Sean Brain 62 mins), Craig Jones (Capt.), Jake Willcox, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt, Kyle Turner (Connor Collins 62 mins), Liam Spink, Dale Edwards.
Substitutes not used: Brendan Kelly, Dean Fisher, Ethan Hanks
Goals: Brain (65 mins, 90+3 mins)
Yellows: Walker (31 mins), Wilson (78 mins)

Lichfield: Connor McCarthy, Richard Robinson, Dexter Ravenhill (Gavin Hurren 80 mins), Keena Richards, Danny Morris (Capt), Peter Folkes, Andre Francis, Martin Crawford, Tony Clarke, Dave Yonwin (Michael Evans 68 mins), Tom Evans (Joe Haines 68 mins).
Substitutes not used: Jeorge Smith, Trea Bertie
Yellows: Ravenhill (39 mins), Crawford (85 mins)
Red: Folkes (78 mins)

Referee: Mr L Teraud (Stourbridge)
Assistants: Mr A Scriven (Northfield), Mr P Rodway (Rubery)

Crowd: 226
Weather: Cold, dry

Sporting Man of the Match: Dale Edwards
Reporter: Phil Baker