From the Stratford Town Website:
Town win at Bromsgrove in FA Cup thriller! report by Kevin Hand
By Andy Chilton
Comeback kings Town beat the Rouslers via a brace of Will Grocott goals!
Match Report
Bromsgrove Sporting FC v Stratford Town,
Tuesday 22 September 2020 7.45pm
at The Victoria Ground
1st Round Qualifying Emirates FA Cup.
Bromsgrove 1 Stratford 2 HT (1-0)
Starting 11: Belford, Fry Muggleton, Curtis, Heaven, Williams, Kazaboni, Sammons, Howards, Grocott (Cpt), Andoh.
Goal Scorers: Bromsgrove: Richards 45 Stratford: Grocott 58, 87
Attendance: 472
GROCOTT DOUBLE SEES TOWN PROGRESS IN FA CUP
Two superb finishes from Captain, Will Grocott, saw Town come from behind and defeat Bromsgrove Sporting by two goals to one. The prize for this result is not just progress to the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup but a cash prize of £2,250.
There was just one change to the Town starting eleven with Howards replacing Feyi up front. Bromsgrove featured Courtney Richards and had two further ex-Townites on the bench in Chris Lait and Mikey Taylor.
The opening exchanges were frantic with Andoh and Kazaboni impressing on the flanks. As early as two minutes Sammons fired over from a good position and Howards had a goalward shot blocked on 8.
As the half progressed Bromsgrove began to dominate edging the midfield battle and starving the Stratford wingers of decent ball. Howards chased every ball lost cause or not to give some respite. Williams and Heaven were rock solid at the back. Just as the half was drawing to its close Stratford was ‘suckered’ for a second game in a row. Town won their first corner of the match on 45 minutes which keeper Dan Platt clutched with ease and launched a counter attack. A weak defensive clearance fell to Courtney Richards and he nonchalantly tucked it away from the edge of the area.
The second half saw Alex Henshall replace Enoch Andoh and the balance of play switched to Stratford again. Henshall was sharp and incisive and combined well with Grocott. Sammons had a shot blocked on 52 and on 55 Howards raced clear only for Platt to make an outstanding save. Two minutes later and Town was level. Henshall sprinted left delivering a fine cross to the far post; Howards knocked the ball back across the goal; and Grocott arriving late hammered home from close range.
The game began to lose its shape as both teams tired and parity was restored. Even the introduction of Lait and Taylor failed to re-ignite Bromsgrove. It took some Henshall/Grocott magic to break the deadlock. On 87 minutes the duo combined on the left with Henshall finding Grocott just inside the area on the left. Arrow-like Grocott’s shot arced into the far corner of Platt’s net. The game was effectively over with the exhausted and injured Howards giving his all to the dying minutes.
This was an outstanding performance against a talented and determined Bromsgrove side and if the season progresses would bode well for the rest of Town’s season. And well done to the Bromsgrove Staff and Officials for being so meticulous in their preparations and enforcing Covid protocols. Equally to the fans of both sides for their cooperation in achieving this.
Man of the Match: Will Grocott |