This article about our U21s side, from Matt Tennant, looks at last weekend’s penalty shootout agony and this Saturday’s match…
It was heartbreak for Bromsgrove Sporting U21s after losing out on penalties in a nail-biting finish against local rivals Redditch United U21s.
The Rouslers arrived at last week’s Challenge Bowl game full of adrenaline, following what their joint manager, Stuart Carson, called one of the team’s best performances of the season against a strong Ashby Ivanhoe U21 squad.
Despite Sporting’s maestro Alemi Obey-GM opening the scoring, it was Redditch United who came charging out of the blocks for most of the first half, attacking with relentless pace and steaming into a 2-1 lead by half time.
Having been caught off their guard, Bromsgrove regrouped and emerged after the break a reenergised unit, working the ball well and creating numerous chances.
Bromsgrove’s Zak Parr fired a stunning finish into the net to pull his side back into the game, but with neither side able to find the winner, a penalty shootout beckoned.
Both sides rose to the occasion, with plenty of decent spotkicks.
In the end, it was an impressive save from Redditch’s goalkeeper which saw the home side through and Bromsgrove missing out by the narrowest of margins.
Stuart Carson said: “We started as poorly as I can remember so far this season and credit to Redditch, who were at it from the start.
“Taking the lead with a fine finish from Alemi, we still didn’t really get going and went into half time behind.
“Change of positions and personnel led to a much improved second half and, on reflection, I’m not quite sure how we didn’t win the game based on chances created.
“Full credit to the Redditch goalkeeper for an outstanding display. It went to a lottery of penalties and we lost out.
“If you don’t start well, you pay the price and this is something we will take forward into the next week, against a Stafford side who always give you a tough game.”
Next week’s return to the league against Stafford Rangers U21s will see Sporting U21s look to maintain their positive form in the MFL U21 Division.
Stafford Rangers are currently 15th in the table, on 11 points, with three wins this season.
The Staffordshire side had a difficult start to their league campaign this year, as they struggled to find their form.
Their first win came against S J B Juniors U21s in their tenth game of the season, when they began to see improvements, going on to upset Mercia Athletic U21s and more recently, Coventry United U21s, who they trail by four points in the standings.
Bromsgrove sit in eighth on 24 points and will be aiming to close the gap to Pelsall Villa Colts, who are on 28 points.
Last time out, the Rouslers saw Stafford off with a 2-0 home win, but can the Rangers turn it around this time?
Find out when Stafford Rangers U21s host Bromsgrove Sporting U21s on Saturday 21st March at Marston Road Stadium (10:30 KO).
