Bromsgrove Sporting vs Nuneaton Griff
Bromsgrove Sporting returned to the top of the Midland Football League Division One with an enthralling 4-2 victory over Nuneaton Griff at the Victoria Ground on Saturday afternoon.
A Jack Wilson goal in the sixth minute from inside the box gave the home side the best possible start before Robbie Bunn showed composure to coolly slot home and double the lead eight minutes from half time.
The three points appeared to be safely sealed after Tony Clarke’s close range headed effort found the net shortly after the beginning of the second half.
However, two quickfire goals from lively Nuneaton substitute Keinan Palmer inside the last ten minutes meant a nervy end to the game for Sporting until Chrisi Conway drilled home from 20 yards in injury time to guarantee the victory and continue the Rouslers unbeaten run in the league to eight games.
Bromsgrove could have taken the lead after a mere 30 seconds, as Bunn set up Clarke, who found his shot blocked by keeper Courtney Belford.
They didnt have to wait long though, as a fine run by Clarke allowed him to place the ball at Wilson’s feet, who confidently struck the ball into the bottom corner.
Sporting continued on the offensive, with captain Craig Jones having a header well saved by Belford from a Chris Lloyd corner before the dexterous Lloyd had an opportunity himself palmed over the crossbar.
As well as Lloyd, Sporting had Bunn and Clarke causing all kinds of trouble for the Nuneaton Griff defence, with intricate passing and electric pace at the forefront of the attack. Neat play from these two gave recent acquisition Jason Cowley a shot on goal on 20 minutes, with the resultant effort being scuffed wide.
Nuneaton had their first meaningful chance on the 34th minute, as Tom Bates free kick from 25 yards clattered the crossbar, with Sporting stopper Chris Jay ultimately well beaten.
Bromsgrove’s second soon followed, as a sumptuous long ball from Lloyd found Bunn, who led Nuneaton defender Ryan Millerchip a merry dance, sending him to the floor not once but twice before nonchalantly placing the ball home past Belford.
Lloyd was doing the assisting again for Sportings third, with his pinpoint cross finding Clarke, whose bullet header gave Sporting a seemingly unassailable three goal cushion.
Missed headers from Cowley and Ahmed Ali did not appear to matter too much at that time but Nuneaton substitute Keinan Palmer had not read the script of a supposedly comfortable home win.
He found himself on goal not long after he came on but had his shot charged down by Jay before an 81st minute audacious volley from range flew into the net and left the keeper with absolutely no chance.
Palmer then took advantage of Sporting’s inability to clear the ball from their penalty area, as he slotted home four minutes later to make for a captivating end to the game.
Griff hunted for the equaliser and even had a penalty claim waived away but the result was finally put beyond any doubt when substitute Chrisi Conways low drive from 20 yards evaded all defenders and snuck in past the fingers of the outstretched Belford.
22 points from eight games for Sporting, who find themselves on the same amount of points as second place Lichfield City but ahead on goal difference with two games in hand. |