Evo-Stik League South - Division One Central - Saturday 18th August 2018, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
AFC Dunstable 1 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 4 (2) Creasy Park Stadium

Bromsgrove Sporting travelled away to AFC Dunstable in the first game of the new season. After an apparent burst of confidence from the last pre-season friendly, Sporting were looking to impress again. Early on Bromsgrove took possession playing some eye-catching football. The attacks led to a corner but Dunstable battled the ball away, stopping Sporting momentarily.

Dunstable won a corner and headed straight for Bromsgrove's box to attack but persistent defending from Aaron Roberts denied them a shot at goal. Winning the ball, Dunstable again engaged Sporting's defenders, this time forcing a foul. The free kick however hit the wall and a rebounded shot hit the gloves of Reece Francis. Bromsgrove played the ball out from the back and put it into the path of Will Shorrock. After a persistent attack his cross was stopped by the Dunstable keeper.

Bromsgrove won a corner and from here Josh Quaynor's cross found Nathan Hayward but his shot was sent over the bar. Dunstable's goal-kick flew to Reece Francis and some lovely one touch passing was played. Space was found for Cameron Peters to shoot, but hit wide.

Bromsgrove again regained possession and a cross from Josh Quaynor found Will Shorrock. Shorrock played it into Cameron Peters who scored to make it 1-0. Dunstable restarted play but the ball was quickly gathered by Nathan Hayward. After more attractive passing play, Will Shorrock ran into space but was fouled, winning a free kick on the right hand side. Shorrock crossed into the box and Ryan Frater, who wasn't under any pressure, unfortunately headed the ball into his own making the scoreline 2-0.

Dunstable tried to get themselves back in the game and played some neat football, causing problems for the Sporting defenders. A challenge on Christian Tavernier led to a Dunstable free-kick. It was well taken but Craig Jones jumped to head it behind for a corner. The corner came in and a scuffle allowed BJ Christie to score making it 2-1 at half-time.

The second half commenced and Sporting won a penalty after Josh Quaynor was fouled. Richard Gregory stepped up and thumped the ball in, making it 3-1. Dunstable restarted again and played some threatening stuff. A string of attacks came at Sporting's defence but tackles from both Aaron Roberts and Craig Jones stopped them scoring. Richard Gregory soon won the ball and put his cross straight into the gloves of Jamie Head.

Sporting again found themselves on the attack and Cameron Peters was brought down in the area. There were many appeals for a penalty but the referee waved them off. Bromsgrove pushed forward excellently with Will Shorrock who sent the ball into the box and a mistake from Dunstable's keeper found John Pykett who headed home to send Sporting way in front, at 4-1.

After another set of attacks from both sides that come to nothing the referee eventually blew the whistle, signalling the end of the game. Brendan Kelly, Andy Mason and Kevin Barry should be very happy with such a performance.

With some beautiful football played on the pitch and a wide margin on the scoreline the travelling Sporting fans went home celebrating, no doubt even more excited for Tuesday's home fixture against Kidlington.

Sporting line-up: Reece Francis, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Hayward, Craig Jones, Danny Morris, John Pykett (Charlie Dowd 73 mins), Josh Quaynor (Jack Cresswell 81 mins), Cameron Peters, Richard Gregory Ashanti Pryce 79 mins), Will Shorrock.
Substitues not used: Harry Higginson, Marcel Simpson.

Reporter - Josh Waldron

From the AFC Dunstable website:

It was not the start that AFC wanted to their new Southern League campaign, as uncharacteristic errors did not help their situation. Welcoming new boys Bromsgrove Sporting to Creasey Park, what went before a 16 minute period of the game, was not predicted.

The opening 28 minutes of the game was a tight affair as both teams gave everything. Then with the game approaching the half hour mark it all changed. It looked like AFC had a decent chance of a break away but the ball was won back by Bromsgrove which resulted in Cameron Peters finding the bottom corner of the net as they broke with pace.

Two minutes later it got worse for AFC. From a free kick, somehow Ryan Frater powered a header into his own net. It looked like the hosts had got themselves back into the game on the stroke of half time when BJ Christie scored from close range.

Looking to build on the lifeline given to AFC by Christie, the 2nd half was only 60 seconds old when Bromsgrove won a penalty as Newman Carney mis-timed a tackle. Richard Gregory made no mistake from the spot.

The visitors grew in confidence and it seemed there was no way back for AFC. Comfortable on the ball and still creating chances, the visitors kept AFC away from their goal, while testing Jamie Head on a few occasions.

Salt was rubbed into the AFC wound, when Head seemed to be impeded when he came for a cross. The clash made him lose control of the ball and a joyful John Pykett headed home just after the hour.

The remaining 30 minutes saw the visitors on top, as they showed their class all over the pitch and proved on this performance they are going to be a handful this season.

AFC Team: Head. May. Abrahams (Clayton 60). R.Frater. Cashman. Carney. Tavernier. Christie. Roberts (Ajayi 60). N.Frater (Norris 68).
Subs not used. Steele. Sansom<

Attendance 205
Report courtesy of AFC Dunstable