Bromsgrove Sporting booked themselves a first round meeting against Chelmsley Town in the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup with a hard fought 2 - 0 victory over Stretton Eagles at Studley on Saturday.
Sporting dominated the early exchanges without turning their superiority into goals although Dan Wilkes went close with a glancing header just over the bar. Stretton came into the game strongly during the last 10 minutes of the half with a succession of corners and Sporting Keeper Mole had to be alert when leaving his line to a through ball 5 minutes before the break. His bravery sustained him a knock but the Sporting stopper was able to carry on.
With the game balanced at 0 - 0 at half-time the players were greeted by a sharp shower at the start of the second half. Sporting were quickly into their stride and looked more dangerous than in the first half. On 55 minutes Blood headed against the post and the rebound was put over the bar as the threat became more potent. At the other end Mole remained a solid presence and his distribution caused problems for the Stretton defence as Sporting got the ball wide.
On 68 minutes the deadlock was broken as a cross from the right side was firmly headed home by Shaun Maynard inside the 6 yard box as the keeper had no chance. The Stretton response never really came although they did put pressure on the Sporting midfield but failed to test Mole more than once.
Any prospect of extra-time disappeared on 80 minutes when substitute Bright created space for a cross that was nodded in by Dan Wilkes to end the game as a contest. Maynard was immediately withdrawn by manager Myles Day and Sporting played out the remaining few minutes without alarm to record their first competitive victory.
Sporting team; Mole, Milicev, Allen, Wilkes G (McKeon 76 mins), Griffiths, Patrick, Molesworth (Bright 64 mins), Rogers, Maynard (Woolman 83 mins), Wilkes D, Blood.
Unused Subs James,Howles. |