AN ENTHRALLING cup tie at the Victoria Ground saw Bromsgrove Sporting and Coventry United needing to do it all again after the score was 1-1 after extra time writes Ben Fox.
Jason Cowley took the lead on the half hour mark before United’s Jack Jeys equalised in the second half. A late Sam Wills penalty was missed for the hosts booking a Wednesday night replay at the Butts Park Arena.
The Rouslers started the brightest and Cowley almost scored the goal of the season as his bicycle kick marginally missed the top right corner.
United keeper Rich Morris was on hand to beat Sean Brains effort away from goal.
Bromsgrove’s pressure kept building and they were rewarded when a John Pykett low cross was smartly left by Brain for Cowley who struck home at the second attempt.
Morris was soon scrambling back to his line to prevent a goalmouth scramble doubling Sporting’s lead.
In the second half Coventry got the chance they were looking for, a long ball missed by the home defence completely found its way to Jeys, who coolly swept under the onrushing Francis to level the scoring.
Again Bromsgrove came forward, and two splendid saves from Morris prevented Brain from close range and Pykett, who cut in from the left.
However, Morris was left stranded when Wills agonisingly hit the post with a long-range effort.
In the dying moments Francis did well to prevent Jeys from scoring his second with a calm save with his feet.
Extra time beckoned, and Coventry were down to ten men following a dangerous challenge by Robert Prinzel.
Bromsgrove were presented with the perfect opportunity with just minutes left as Cowley was deemed fouled in the box.
Sam Wills wasted the chance, spewing his penalty wide to the left, leaving the Shed End in dismay.
Bromsgrove still could have won it in the dying moments but Cowley could not convert a chance almost identical to his goal in the previous round, heading over the bar.
The tie will be replayed on Wednesday 6th December at the Butts Park Arena, KO 7:45 p.m. |