An incredible goal from Jason Cowley helped guide Bromsgrove Sporting to a 2-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Corby Town.
The goal, which has gone viral online, featuring on none other than both the BBC Sport and BBC Match of the Day social media accounts, plus was the most watched video on the BBC Sport Website, came 45 minutes in. He back-heeled the ball into the air and volleyed home into the bottom corner, sending the majority of the 1,576 in attendance into utter raptures of joy.
The second came on the 82nd minute and that man Cowley was instrumental yet again, intricately working his way past defenders before setting up John Pykett, who powered the ball into the net smartly.
Sporting nerves kicked in two minutes from time, as Joel Carta thumped home from close range, but Sporting would ultimately hold on for a memorable win, against a team that had beaten them twice already this season.
Sporting started the game brightly, with Cowley having a scuffed shot from a decent position and Richard Gregory hitting a shot from inside the area easily saved by Daniel George inside the first 20 minutes.
However, Corby increased the pressure midway through the half, with Carta having two opportunities just after the half hour mark; the first saw him strike just wide of the mark as a result of an indirect free kick and the second a volley from the penalty spot that was comfortably saved by Jono Brown.
Brown was called into action once again soon after, as Corby hotshot Elliot Sandy had his only real opportunity of the match, a shot from just inside the box, neatly saved by the outstretched palm of the Sporting stopper.
The opening goal came on the 45th minute, courtesy of the aforementioned touch of Cowley magic. Gregory headed the ball towards him, which he back-heeled over the defence and into the air, allowing him to volley the ball into the bottom corner with venomous accuracy.
The opening chance of the second half fell to Nathan Hayward, who headed narrowly over from a sumptuous Josh Quaynor corner.
Gregory and Pykett had further chances to double the lead, with the former hitting a volley over the bar, after a cracking cross by Kieren Westwood, whilst the latter made some space for himself on the edge of the area following a fine run, but just pulled his shot wide.
Sporting's second came eight minutes from time, as Cowley turned on the style yet again to beat two defenders, meaning he could selflessly set up substitute Pykett, who leathered the ball, hard and low, into the net.
Soon after the lead was doubled, Westwood had an incredible opportunity to put the game past any doubt, but his one on one was hit straight at keeper George.
The final few minutes saw Corby have their best spell of the game; Carta pulled one back in the 88th minute, as he pounced on a ball that flashed across the area and slammed it in.
This was followed by Connor Kennedy narrowly heading wide from a matter of yards via a corner in the dying embers of the encounter.
Sporting: Jono Brown, Liam Spink, Jack Wilson, Nathan Hayward, Tom Taylor, Kyle Lincoln, Charlie Dowd (John Pykett 70 mins), Josh Quaynor, Jason Cowley (Cameron Peters 90+3 mins), Richard Gregory (Capt.), Kieren Westwood.
Substitutes not used: Jake Heath, Dan O'Sullivan, Tom Rankin
Goals: Jason Cowley (45 mins), John Pykett (82 mins).
Yellows: Jono Brown (30 mins), Liam Spink (45+1 mins), Josh Quaynor (90+1 mins)
Referee: Mr R Eley (Derby)
Sporting MoM: Jason Cowley
Crowd: 1576
Weather: Mild, hazy.
Report: Max Banner |