"Hendry smash and grab baffles Police"
Bromsgrove Sporting gained their first away win in the league with an emphatic victory at Tally Ho against West Midlands Police with debut starter Rob Hendry scoring four of the team's six goals.
Sporting started brightly and Hendry worked a chance after 8 minutes but was foiled by a diving save at his feet from Police keeper, Dalglish,. Dan Wilkes then had a golden opportunity as he was released in the left channel with only the keeper to beat but squared the ball instead of shooting and a defender managed to nip in before Jon Rogers could put the chance away.
Hendry's first goal came on 15 minutes as he was able to draw the keeper before slotting home when put through. Three minutes later it was 2-0 as the unselfish Molesworth again beat the static Police defence and squared for Hendry to roll the ball in. Sporting continued to threaten and a poor first touch from Jon Rogers in the box gave Dalglish the opportunity to save at his feet.
The next goal came for the Police side from their first shot on goal as S Windle side footed home from 20 yards as Sporting keeper Biddle was caught flat footed. The Police then tried hard to get back into the game but Sporting continued to create chances.
On 38 minutes, Sporting thought they had a penalty as Jon Rogers was clearly pulled back in the box and the ball was cleared for a corner. However, justice was done as from the corner Nick Allen was bundled over and after consulting his assistant, the referee gave a penalty which Joe Brookes placed hard and low in the bottom corner.
Half-time West Midlands Police 1 v 3 Bromsgrove Sporting
The Police side had reshuffled before half-time bringing left back Gray on for midfielder Jon Windle but the penalty and the first 5 minutes of the second half only served to cement Sporting's dominance against the Police backline.
Only a minuite into the half, Dan Wilkes was fouled down the left wing and as the resulting free kick came into the box Nick Allen appeared to get a push which only helped him to bundle the ball into the net off his body. On 47 minutes, Sporting gained another penalty as Molesworth broke down the right and was tackled by Police Captain, Hodge unfairly in the opinion of the referee who was somewhat behind play. This time Hendry took the spot kick and completed his hat-trick.
Three minutes later, the scoring was complete as Jon Rogers laid the ball across the area for Hendry to tap in his fourth goal to make the scoreline 6 - 1. Sporting then relaxed and despite creating a number of chances were unable to beat Dalglish again as the keeper made a couple of spectacular saves. Even the referee appeared to take pity on the Police side as claims for more penalties for what looked to be clear fouls on Bright and Molesworth were waved away by the Official.
As Sporting relaxed the Police did create a couple of chances but became frustrated as first Hodge and then substitute Kerr were booked for late fouls on keeper Biddle and midfielder Curry respectively. Kerr was lucky to remain on the pitch as he seemed to lose his head and made an even worse tackle on Gareth Rogers but the referee, after appearing to go to his pocket for a card, let the offender off with a final warning.
In the last two minutes, Chris Bright missed the target by inches and keeper Dalglish saved well again, this time from a Cooksey header as Sporting looked to add to the total. Eventually, time ran out and the referee was able to put an end to the game before Sporting were able to inflict more damage on the beleaguered Police team.
Sporting team: Biddle, Bright, Harris (Rogers G 72), Allen (Cooksey 72), Brookes, Curry, Molesworth, Rogers Ja (Cpt), Hendry, Rogers Jon, Wilkes (Blood 64) Subs not used: Griffiths, Whitehouse.
West Midlands Police team: Dalglish, Mullis, Hodge (Cpt), Lewis, Roobotham, Holliday, Windle S, Windle J (Gray 38), Shannon (Kerr 57), Jarratt, Nurse. Subs not used: Hitchmough, Parker
Sporting Man of the Match: Rob Hendry |