Competitive football returned to Bromsgrove this Saturday (5th August) as Rocester visited The Victoria ground in a FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.

Sporting got off to a bright start as Wade Malley’s low shot was almost spilt by Romans keeper’ Adam Binks.

On 11 minutes Rocester should have taken the lead when the unmarked Oliver Roome somehow side footed James Frost’ inch perfect cross wide from just 8 yards out.

However, it was Bromsgrove who took the lead in the 18th minute after tenacious work from Reece Hewitt set Malley free who made no mistake, rifling past Binks in the visitor’s goal.

Sporting only managed to hold their lead for five minutes as Roome made up for earlier mistakes, slotting into an empty net after rounding home keeper’ Reece Francis.

Rocester almost took the lead just before half time when a Francis clearance cannoned of advancing winger Callum Riddell and flew just inches wide of the post.

Bromsgrove were much the better team in the second half, and Wade Malley would have been glad to see the offside flag as he hit the post from close range.

In the 71st minute Reece Hewitt found himself 1 on 1 with Binks, opting to round the keeper before blazing over the bar with two defenders on the line.

Eight minutes later, Bromsgrove took the lead, Robbie Bunn drove into the box before slotting a low effort into the far corner, erupting the Victoria Ground.

Unfortunately for Paul Smith’s men, Rocester were level again just four minutes later when a slow cross found its way to Scott Wesson rolled the ball into the net.

Rocester should have won the tie in the dying moments when Riddell found himself 1 on 1 with Francis, but the forward opted to chip his effort over the bar.

The draw (2-2) sets up a replay in Rocester on Tuesday 8th August, kick-off 19:45.

Reporter: Ben Fox.