After a convincing away win the on the previous outing, there was disappointment in the Bromsgrove camp not to get a repeat performance this week.
Sporting had their longest journey of the season up to Burton-upon-Trent and they looked to be a little travel weary as Stretton were quicker out of their blocks and caused problems right from the kick-off. This advantage was quickly turned into a one-goal lead after just two minutes when Eagles winger Tom Ellerton knocked over a cross that bounced off visiting defender Chris Bright for an own goal.
Sporting midfielders attempted to slow the game down, keeping possession at the back whilst looking for a long ball up field but this tactic seldom paid off as both Robbie Hendry and Jon Rogers found themselves too frequently without support.
The home side doubled their lead on eleven minutes when Tom Liversage sent a useful free kick into the box that Sporting 'keeper Grant Biddle misjudged as Stretton's Liam Mander got there first and headed cleanly into the top of the net.
Things evened up a bit more after that with both sides having reasonable chances but finding it difficult to control the ball on a hard and uneven playing surface.
Half-time: Stretton Eagles 2 v 0 Bromsgrove Sporting
After their half-time sup of tea and a talking to in the dressing room, Sporting came out a lot livelier and moving the ball round well and playing more football on the ground.
They got their reward on 67 minutes with last week's four goal hero Robbie Hendry adding another to his tally when he turned well on the penalty spot and hit a neat shot past home goalkeeper Andrew Beeston's outstretched right arm to get one back for Sporting.
Sporting made more use of Chris Bright and Ryan Molesworth playing wide and getting in some useful crosses but the Eagles defence mopped everything thrown at them. Towards the end Rouslers substitute Peter Jenvey managed a decent but weak shot and in the last minute Joe Brookes put one over the bar.
After the match Sporting's head coach Stewart Brighton said he was disappointed to go two down so early in the match but felt his team did much better in the second half and probably deserved a point.
Stretton: Andrew Beeston, Andrew Crowe, Liam Mander, Clayton Harris, Ben Watson, Tom Liversage (capt), Chris Giles (Jimmy Easton 73 mins), Karl Chadfield, Lewis Campbell (Ricky Shilvock 85 mins), Karl Whyte, Tom Ellerton (Phil Wheildon 66 mins).
Sub not used: Billy Easton.
Sporting: Grant Biddle, Chris Bright, Gareth Rogers, Nick Allen, Joe Brookes, Nick Harris, Ryan Molesworth, Jamie Rogers (capt, Peter Jenvey 50 mins), Robbie Hendry, Jon Rogers, Dan Wilkes. Subs not used: Neil Cooksey, Luke Sloggie, Mark Whitehouse. |