A first half effort from Richard Gregory helped guide a resilient Bromsgrove Sporting to a 1-0 victory over Bedford Town.
After a quiet opening quarter of an hour, the only goal of the game came 19 minutes in, as Josh Quaynor capped off his run into the box with a pass to Gregory, who poked the ball into the bottom corner.
Sporting managed to keep Bedford quiet for the remainder of the half, with other notables chances of a rather drab 45 being opportunities for Jason Cowley, who capped of a fine run with a soft shot at keeper Ashlee Jones, and Jack Wilson, who forged forward from the back and fired at the Bedford stopper, who again was equal to the challenge.
Bromsgrove were the team who looked most likely to notch up another goal for large swathes of the game, with chances put over the crossbar by both Nathan Hayward and Kieren Westwood from distance followed by a huge chance for Cowley on 53 minutes.
Sporting's Player of the Month for January had a venomously struck, low free kick from just outside the box brilliantly saved by the outstretched hand of Jones.
10 minutes later, Gregory latched onto a long ball from Sporting keeper Jono Brown, unleashing a sweetly struck volley that was smartly kept out by Jones.
Bedford's first chance of note came 68 minutes in, as substitute Tony Mendy got on the end of a cross, but could only kick the ball across the face of goal from a promising position.
Sporting's final meaningful effort came 15 minutes from time, as an exceptional cross from Hayward found the head of Cowley; his effort flew handsomely over the upright.
The last 10 minutes saw Sporting having to defend with their backs against the wall, with Callum Donnelly having a shot from inside the area blocked and Joe Steele seeing his close range header palmed away superbly by Bromsgrove keeper Jono Brown.
This was truly a resolute win for Bromsgrove, with centre back Tom Taylor putting in a fine display in particular. |