A scintillating first half display from Bromsgrove Sporting ensured they beat Bedworth United 5-0 in the First Round of the Southern League Cup.

So impressive were the opening 45 minutes that all five goals were scored inside it; Shaquille McDonald and Nathan Hayward got on the scoresheet, plus a 16 minute hat-trick for new signing Mikey Taylor, who was making his first start for the Rouslers.

A high tempo start from Sporting was rewarded with the opener 18 minutes in, as McDonald latched onto a long ball from Tom Rankin, before poking at a one on one that ex-Bromsgrove keeper Dan Crane initially kept out.

However, he was unable to stop him having a second bite of the cherry, as he managed to tap into a relatively empty net whilst sitting on the grass, after appearing to be fouled in the box.

Taylor's first goal for Sporting came five minutes later, as Charlie Dowd executed some dazzling skill to battle past a couple of challenges, allowing him to set up the ex-Stourbridge frontman, who slotted effortlessly through Crane's legs.

The 27th minute saw the third; McDonald found Quaynor cleverly from out wide. He subsequently beat his man and passed to Hayward, who took a couple of touches before dispatching into the bottom corner with a left footed drive.

It was four 36 minutes in, courtesy of some impressive solo play from Taylor. He showed raw strength to bully his way past multiple defenders, leading to himself being one on one with Crane - the outcome being the ball bustling the back of the net.

The fifth came six minutes before the half time whistle; Taylor beautifully found Hayward with a backheel, he completed the one-two with Taylor in the box, which he completed by rolling the ball into an empty goal.

With the game already won in the first half, the play after the interval somewhat unsurprisingly lacked the pace and ferocity of that seen beforehand.

Taylor and substitute Richard Gregory both drew fine saves from Crane with venomous efforts, whilst Bedworth had chances to get themselves on the scoresheet, as Jared Bradshaw had a shot blocked away, before Lewis Chester produced a neat effort via a curled lob that beat replacement keeper Jono Brown but could only find the crossbar.

It should have been six with eight minutes remaining, as Hayward put a corking ball into the box that an unmarked Dowd could only volley over the upright.

Bromsgrove Sporting V BEDWORTH UNITED (League Cup)

Report by Stuart Roe

Bedworth travelled the 33miles to Bromsgrove with an extremely young team made up of mostly U21s. The only recognisable names been Dan Crane, Lewis Chester, Josh Steel and Cal Templeton. The average age of the outfield players being only 19. This was possibly the largest crowd that most of these youngsters had played in front of. With Bromsgrove starting the same 11 as they did Saturday in their loss against Needham Market it was obvious that Bromsgrove were looking at this game to give them a much needed boost.

Both teams started nervously with neither really exerting much authority on the game. Bedworths youngsters were holding their own against a much more experienced side. The experience though came to the fore in the 18th minute when Taylor who was going to prove to be a thorn in the Bedworth back 4s side all night muscled his way forward Crane saved well at his feet but the ball bobbled out to McDonald who put the ball into the empty net. The Bedworth lads seemed to be effected by that goal after all the hard work of the first 18 minutes was undone.

Within 5 minutes that man Taylor doubled Bromsgroves lead after yet again his strength got him into the Bedworth penalty area and his angled shot beat Crane and just sneaked inside the far post. 4 minutes later Hayward was allowed to travel and hit a shot from just outside the box which beat Crane to make it 3. The Bedworth lads rallied and tried to stem the tide but McDonalds speed and Taylors strength were just to much. Taylor added a 4th and 5th in the 36th and 39th minute to complete his Hattrick to make the score 5-0 at half time.

Half Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 5 Bedworth United 0

Bedworth had a slight reshuffle at half time with the more experienced Cal Templeton moving into the centre to try to stop Taylor from using his strength. The youngsters of Bedworth now knowing deep down that the game was beyond them started to relax more and at times played some good football, both teams could have added to the score but neither did the closest being a cheeky little lob from Chester that bounced off the frame of the goal leaving substitute keeper Brown stranded. Crane had to make a couple of good saves one from a free kick and one from distance. Neither team could break the second half deadlock so the game finished 5-0 to Bromsgrove and we wish them luck in the next round.

Bedworth took a young team (plus Dan Crane) for this fixture to blood some of the youngsters that we have around the club, nerves played a big part in the first half as most of the players on show have not played at this level yet. The second half though showcased the young players that we have coming through the club with the U21’s and youth teams both doing well in their respective leagues the future for Bedworth United is in good hands and I am sure those who watched the second half especially would agree soon some of these lads will become permanent fixtures for Bedworth United in the future.

A lot of these are Bedworth lads and the attitude and desire they have to play for their home town is evident the youth and junior setup within the club is thriving and the blueprint we as a club have that many are trying to follow is proving to work.

Final Score: Bromsgrove Sporting 5 – Bedworth United 0

Team: Crane, Templeton, Johnston (Yasin), Wilden (Covill), Troup, Bent, Loveitt, Steele, Chester, Bradshaw (Capela), Cooper<br><br>Unused subs: Semhimbo