OPENING DAY DEFEAT AT THE VICTORIA GROUND
By David Hucker
Title favourites Bromsgove Sporting proved too strong for Saints in this opening Midland League Division One fixture at the Victoria
A minute's silence before the game and a minute's applause in the 69th minute were observed by everyone in memory of former Sporting chairman Jon Prescott who suddenly passed away last month.
Sporting came into the match on a high, having ended Stratford Town's unbeaten pre-season run with a 2-1 win, following up with another victory by the same margin at Evo-Stik Northern Premier Halesowen Town to complete a 100% record over seven matches.
The two sides met on the opening day of last season when the match ended 1-1, but Sporting were keen to go one better, coming quickly out of the starting blocks and hitting the woodwork twice in the space of 11 minutes.
Tony Clarke was the first to rattle the crossbar in the 26th minute, collecting Luke Edwards' deep pass from the back before hitting a superb volley. Then, a solo effort from Chris Lloyd saw the pacey winger hit the post after cutting inside from the left.
Lloyd broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Joe Haines chipped the ball through the Saints defence and his deft touch beat on-rushing keeper Thomas Bryce.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 when, from Nathan Walker's corner from the right, Bryce fumbled the ball, allowing an unmarked Ahmed Ali to fire home.
Sporting were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men in the 46th minute when Luke Edwards, who was clearly the last man, wrestled Matt Omari to the ground 20 yards from goal, but referee Steven Hughes only gave the defender a yellow card.
From the resultant free-kick, Danny Brierley saw his well-driven effort comfortably claimed low-down by Chris Jay in the Sporting goal.
Sporting continued to keep Saints camped in their own half and Tony Clarke made it 3-0 in the 58th minute with a powerful header from Walker's cross.
Omari and Zuhayb Abdirahman had long-range efforts which failed to trouble Jay and Sporting came close to adding a fourth in the 80th minute when substitute Chris Conway broke free of his marker, but his pass to Clarke was too heavy and it drifted out for a goal kick.
"We set our stall out and played well, but Sporting were just too good for us" said coach Alex Baird.
Bromsgrove Sporting: Chris Jay [Capt.], Lucky, Nwosu, Joe Haines, Daniel Morris, Jake Willcox, Luke Edwards, Ahmed Ali, Nathan Walker, Tony Clarke, Robbie Bunn, Chris Lloyd
Subs used: Dale Edwards, Chris Conway, Sean Brain
Subs not used: Lewis Kemp, Jack Wilson
Southam United Thomas Bryce, George Swain, Jermaine Henry, Daniel Hume, Ben Nicholson [Capt.], Paul Holland, Zuhayb Abdirahman, Alex Baird, Matt Omari, Matthew Wyatt, Daniel Brierley
Subs used: Kieran Warren, Simon Forsdick, Thomas Weston
Subs not used: Lee Kelly, Khamisi, Lightbourne
Match Officials: Referee Steven Hughes, Assistants Malcolm Steward and Andy Genders
Player of the Match: Ben Nicholson
Attn: 425
((With thanks to Craig Gibbons of the Bromsgrove Standard) |