The Athium Midland Football Combination Division 1 Saturday 6th August 2011 3 p.m.
Bromsgrove Sporting 3 (0) v (0) 1 Coton Green
Bromsgrove Sporting kicked off their debut in Midland Combination Division 1 with three hard earned points at home to Coton Green FC. The game itself was preceded by a minute's applause in memory of Bromsgrove stalwart, Bill Kings who passed away recently.
Once the game kicked off, Sporting gained the upper hand and spent most of the first period in the opposition half as they kicked down the slope towards the Town End. Coton Green were certainly up for the challenge and made life difficult for the home side without threatening Sporting keeper Biddle. They had the opportunity to test the Bromsgrove stopper as they gained a free kick for a foul by Lismore just outside the area but the defensive wall blocked.
Sporting had a couple of shots on target themselves without really testing Coton keeper Bowen and Coton's defender Hitchman earned a booking under the totting up process as he committed a second late challenge on a Sporting attacker. The game continued with most of the play in the central area although Lismore flattered to deceive as he repeatedly tried to run at the away defence but struggled to retain possession.
The game reached half-time goalless but Stewart Brighton's team talk seemed to do the trick as Sporting started the second period well with Barnes hitting a fierce shot straight at the keeper. The home side went ahead three minutes into the half as Stuart Hall played a one two with Odane Barnes on the edge of the box and Barnes back heel return gave Stuart the space to bury a great shot past Bowen from 12 yards. Sporting were then denied a penalty as Zac Blood surged into the area and appeared to be brought down by the Coton rearguard but Sporting gained only a corner.
Coton equalised against the run of play as a Jamie Rogers pass was intercepted and played to substitute Matty Moore who scored with a crisp shot that beat Biddle at his near post. At one each Coton forced a tip over from Biddle and from the resulting corner a free header was put over the bar. The home side settled again and went back in front on 65 minutes as Coton failed to clear a corner and a Bowen pushed out a shot straight to Sporting centre back Griffiths who stabbed home his first goal since 3 January.
Twelve minutes from time Sporting wrapped up the points as Barnes turned a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and lashed home a volley to make it 3-1. Two minutes later, the loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the appearance of substitute and former Rovers favourite Kevin Banner in place of Zac Blood. Banner's brief cameo included a great ball to unlock the defence once again but, having done the hard work, Barnes put his shot wide and the final result ended as a 3-1 victory to the home side.
Bromsgrove Sporting: Biddle, Lismore, Rogers G, Brookes, Griffiths, Curry, Molesworth (Rogers Jon 84), Rogers J (Capt.), Barnes, Hall (Siviter 75), Blood (Banner 80). Subs not used Allen, Whitehouse.
Coton Green: Bowen, White, Latchford, Mosley (Capt) Hitchman, Wilson, Hallifax (O'Neill 52), Lewis, Gough, Vavers (Moore 34), Rooney (Davison 60). Booked Hitchman.
Attendance 303.
