Bromsgrove Sporting's title ambitions got off to the best possible start on Saturday afternoon, as they cruised to a 3-0 victory against Southam United in their first game of the 2016/17 Midland Football League Division One.
New signing Chris Lloyd continued his sparkling start in a Sporting shirt with a beautifully chipped effort on the 40th minute mark before fellow recent acquisition Ahmed Ali scored just before the half time whistle to give the Rouslers a commanding lead heading into the interval.
It was a hat trick for new faces at the Victoria Ground, as talismanic striker Tony Clarke headed home Bromsgrove's third to ensure that they would back up their authoritative performance with all three points on their first league game of the season.
Sporting started the game with real urgency and could have taken the lead inside a minute, as the exciting Lucky Nwosu passed to Robbie Bunn, who just struck wide.
Nwosu caused Southam all sorts of problems in the early stages, as his speed and skill allowed him to beat defenders at will. His cross into the box on six minutes was backheeled towards goal by Clarke but saved by Thomas Bryce, with the follow up chipped effort from Lloyd spectacularly headed off the line.
Clarke had numerous chances inside the next 20 minutes, the best of which being a sumptuous, looping volley that clattered the crossbar off the back of a pinpoint Luke Edwards ball forward.
The next quarter of an hour was slightly frustrating for Sporting, as they dominated play, with Ali and Nathan Walker controlling proceedings expertly in the middle of the park, yet had nothing to show for their dominance.
The 39th minute finally saw Bromsgrove break the deadlock, as Lloyd latched onto a delicate lofted ball from the skilful Joe Haines and nonchalantly lobbed the ball over the helpless Bryce in the Southam goal.
A minute before half time saw Ali get a richly deserved goal for his endeavour, as he thumped home from close range, in the midst of a goalmouth scramble that came from Walker's accurate corner.
Southam had very few chances which was testament to Bromsgrove's resilient defence throughout; their best effort on goal being a 50th minute Daniel Brierley free kick that rolled safely into the arms of Chris Jay, on what was a very quiet afternoon for the Sporting stopper.
The game was put beyond any doubt on the hour mark, as Walker's corner taking ability was seen to good effect once again, this time finding the head of Clarke who powerfully guided the ball home, much to the jubilation of the Shed End faithful.
The final fifteen minutes were somewhat quiet, with Haines continuing his fine display with a shot from 20 yards that was comfortably saved and Clarke having a one on one saved after a neat pass from substitute Chrisi Conway the only major highlights.
A comfortable start for Sporting, putting them 2nd, in a game that will be remembered as the first competitive home game since the sad passing of chairman Jon Prescott, who was honoured in an impeccably observed pre-match silence and 69th minute applause, his age when he died.
Sporting: Chris Jay, Danny Morris, Joe Haines, Lucky Nwosu (Chrisi Conway 73 mins), Luke Edwards (Dale Edwards 62 mins), Jake Willcox, Nathan Walker, Robbie Bunn (Sean Brain 62 mins), Ahmed Ali, Tony Clarke Chris Lloyd.
Subs not used: Jack Wilson, Lewis Kemp.
Yellow: Luke Edwards (47 mins)
Crowd: 425
Weather: Warm, sunny. |