For Sporting a welcome away win but defeat for Northfield leaves them nine points adrift at the bottom of the Midland Combination Division One.
With a strong but cold wind behind them Sporting started the brighter forcing three early corners that the home side cleared comfortably but they failed to keep possession and allowed the visitors plenty of space to move forward.
Jon Rogers returning to the front line after missing the match on Saturday put Bromsgrove ahead on fifteen minutes when he hit in the rebound after home 'keeper Andy Morgan did well to parry Keith Draper's low drive.
Northfield had a couple of half chances when Hartley Wilkes hit one over the bar as did Nick Partridge from a free kick but it was Sporting who were creating the better chances on a soft pitch that had only been declared fit earlier in the morning. The second goal came a minute before half time as Jon Rogers made a run through the home defence before hitting a pass to Keith Draper who hit home from ten yards.
Northfield introduced a couple of substitutes in the hope of strengthening the midfield but even with tight marking Sporting retained most of the possession and kept the ball well in their opponents half. On 56 minutes, Joe Brookes threaded a pinpoint pass to Peter Jenvey, who found himself with just the 'keeper to beat which he did, slotting into the bottom right hand corner.
By now legs were getting tired and bodies cold and the tempo dropped for the last quarter of the match but Sporting did manage one more just after the ninety minutes when Jon Rogers got his second as he sidestepped the helpless Andy Morgan and tapped low into the back netting.
Sporting now look to be playing with more shape and confidence but with four teams above them in the league they need to keep winning. Northfield had their moments and made good use of their wide players but they failed to get the ball up to their forwards regularly to create enough chances.
Northfield: Andy Morgan, Nick Partridge (John Wilson 46 mins), Shay Fenlon, Lee Alwright, Jak Walton, Brett Kettley, Lee Farrell (Jack Mallam 46 mins), Jamie Morgan (capt), Taylor Lostitch, Jack Baldwin (Janwy Dynanya 83 mins), Hartley Wilkes. Subs not used: Liam Toland, Paul Lostitch.
Sporting: Chris Mole, Karl Fellowes, Nick Harris (Gareth Rogers 72 mins), Nick Martin, Mike Thurbon, Peter Jenvey, Keith J Draper, Joe Brookes (capt, Jamie Rogers 72 mins), Chris Conway, Jon Rogers, Dan Wilkes (Chris Bright 39 mins). Subs not used: Mikey Stewart, Ryan Molesworth. |