A Joseph Marsden goal was the difference at the Victoria Ground on Saturday afternoon, as Needham Market ran out 1-0 winners over Bromsgrove Sporting.
A rather tepid opening to the first half saw Needham have chances via a Joseph Marsden shot that was well charged down by keeper Tony Breeden, before Luke Ingram attempted an audacious lob that flew over.
It was the final 10 minutes of the half where Bromsgrove really came to life.
Shaquille McDonald had a couple of opportunities, one curled narrowly wide and another saved comfortably by Marcus Garnham.
Kieren Westwood found himself in acres of space soon after, but his left footed strike went wide following a nice team move and it was an equally aesthetically pleasing team effort that led to Richard Gregory striking straight at the keeper from well inside the area in the final minute of the half.
Sporting enjoyed a positive start to the second half, with Gregory and Westwood having shots blocked out for corners but a lack of a cutting edge would come to haunt Bromsgrove, as Luke Ingram crossed the ball into the box, which an unmarked Marsden gleefully headed narrowly over the line in the 67th minute, despite Breeden's best efforts to keep it out.
The tempo of the game ebbed away following the goal, with neither team mustering any chances of note, as the away team bagged all three points.
Entertainment Rating: 2/5
Man of the Match: Callum Sturgess (Needham Market)
Report: Max Banner |