Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (Matt 86′, Barrow 90+2′)
Kettering Town 1 (Gyasi 25′, Maja Red Card 39′)
Two late goals saw Bromsgrove Sporting come from behind to beat Kettering Town on a dramatic Tuesday evening at the UK Electrical Stadium.
Michael Gyasi gave the Poppies the lead before Emmanuel Maja’s sending off six minutes before half time turned the game on its head.
From then onwards, Sporting were the dominant side, but would have to wait for the 86th and 92nd minutes, for goals from Jamille Matt and Lamin Barrow respectively, to guide them to victory.
Gyasi put the visitors ahead 25 minutes in, as he took the ball off Sporting stopper Tony Breeden and slotted home into an empty net.
Minutes later, Barrow capped off a darting run towards goal with a strike straight at Kettering keeper Paul White.
The sending off came 10 minutes later, as Maja was adjudged to have tackled Brad Bood recklessly enough to warrant a straight red card.
The Rouslers finished the half with a flurry of chances, as a cross from Billy Shaw hit the crossbar before Simeon Maye had a header blocked away, with cries for a handball offence ignored.
A barrage of chances came Sporting’s way early in the second half; Jake Jervis had a shot saved by White before Barrow saw an effort blocked seconds later. Then, Bood headed a Josh Dugmore cross wide, followed by Shaw blazing over from a promising position. Shortly before the hour mark, a Jervis strike was charged down by White, with captain Chris Hussey striking a fierce effort just off target soon after.
Kettering substitute Theo Alexandrou curled a shot just over in the 65th minute, with Barrow and Shaw both having opportunities to level proceedings six minutes after.
Shaw struck wide after being teed up by Barrow in the 75th minute, before Jamille Matt hit the underside of the crossbar with a header 81 minutes in.
The equaliser eventually came as a Hussey cross found its way to Matt inside the six yard box, who had the simplest of knocks into the goal.
The winner came via an exquisite Jak Hickman cross into the area that was diverted into the goal via the head of Barrow, to send the home support into scenes of rapturous celebration.
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Entertainment Rating: 4/5
Reporter’s Player of the Match: Chris Hussey (Bromsgrove Sporting)
Attendance: 494
50/50 prize draw number: 06572
Sporting Player of the Match, as chosen by Lee & Arlo, from match sponsors, Young Futures Academy CIC: Lamin Barrow
Report: Max Banner
A selection of photos from Chris Jepson
