Bromsgrove Sporting continued their penalty shootout hoodoo as new Manager, Keith Draper's side finally went out of the Worcester Junior Cup in a pulsating quarter final game against Perrywood.
Despite dominating play a series of defensive howlers against a spirited Perrywood side meant Sporting returned home empty handed. Sporting dominated the early exchanges and went ahead on 15 minutes as Ryan Molesworth retrieved a clearance and Joe Brookes glanced the winger's cross over the line before keeper Preece could retrieve the ball. After consulting a linesman the referee gave the goal.
Shortly afterwards, Sporting appealed for a penalty but the foul was adjudged to be inches outside the box and the free kick was wasted. Sporting continued to waste chances and Joe Brookes brought a great save from Preece on 40 minutes.
Inevitably, Perrywood broke away and Sporting keeper Biddle, dashing from his area , was lobbed from 30 yards for the equaliser. Half time was reached with the scores level.
The second half started badly for Sporting as another error left a simple header for Perrywood to take the lead. Sporting continued to attack and see their efforts repelled by Preece's excellent handling until Pete Jenvey hit an unstoppable volley from 12 yards for the equaliser. Jenvey was substituted almost immediately with a hamstring strain.
Manager Draper also brought on Barnes for Jon Rogers up front and was then forced to use his last substitute as the unfortunate Chris Bright was taken ill and replaced by Dan Lismore.
Except for a bizarre moment where Biddle was beaten by a back pass and cleared the ball by volleying it against his own crossbar the rest of the game passed with Sporting striving for and failing to find a winner. The first period of extra time was similar and the game sparked into life again with four goals in the last 9 minutes.
Man of the match Ryan Molesworth put Sporting 3-2 up with a brilliant solo goal but the game was level 2 minutes later as Perrywood equalised from another free header from a corner. The home side then went into the lead with a couple of minutes left as Rogers conceded a penalty to make it 4-3 to Perrywood. It appeared that would be the end of the scoring until debutant Bradley Williamson hit a great strike through a crowded penalty area for the game to finish tied at four each.
So to penalties and whilst Brookes was to convert Sporting's first spot kick Harris and then Williamson both missed whilst Perrywood converted their spot kicks to win the shootout 4-1.
The Manager took the opportunity to look at a few players in this cup tie and hopefully will have learned enough to be able to play his best 11 when league action returns.
Sporting team: Biddle, Bright (Lismore 72), Harris, Brookes (Cpt), Jones, Wilkes, Rogers Ja, Jenvey (Rogers G 60), Williamson, Rogers Jon (Barnes 72), Molesworth.
Subs not used: Allen, Hendry.
Perrywood: Preece, Urry, Moore, Smith, N. Mogford, J. Stoddart, Ribeiro (Baker 68), Pearce, Mann, Seldon, Andrews. Subs not used L. Stoddart, S. Mogford, Gourley |