The Evo-Stik League South Division One Central - Saturday 22nd September 2018 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Aylesbury 0 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 0 (0) at The SRD Stadium.

A finely balanced match that could have gone either way saw Sporting bring home one point, but they will regret failing to convert two penalties late in the match.

The visitors pretty much dominated the first half having most of the possession and playing most of the game in their opponents half but Aylesbury's plan of marshalling an organised back four and packing the box worked well for them keeping out any danger.

It was 12 minutes before the Bromsgrove outfit had their first chance on goal but Nathan Hayward's effort was deflected for a corner then moments later the hard-working Jack Wilson had a shot go just wide of Nick Bennion's right-hand post.

Meanwhile the home side relied on fast breaks up field and after one resulted in a corner which was taken by Ryan Ware, who floated over a neat ball to the near post that Aaron King glanced just over the bar.

Sporting continued to get balls into the Aylesbury box but with so many defenders nobody got any time on the ball so good chances were few.

However the best chance of the half fell to Aylesbury on the 41st minute when Josh Williams attempted to chip Brown only for the stopper to get a fist to the ball sending it out for a corner.

The second half continued much as the first had left off though Aylesbury did look a little more adventurous getting forward more often with King forcing Brown into two low saves and substitute Bruno Brito doing the same.
They then had an opportunity to take the lead on the 78th minute but Brown was alert again and saved Luke Cray's curling shot with one hand.

With just over five minutes to go, King went down in the Sporting box but despite appeals referee Mr Kornasiewicz waved play on as Will Shorrock then made a fast break into the Aylesbury box only to be clattered by Jordan Jenkins thus gaining a penalty for his own side. Richard Gregory took the spot kick but Bennion guessed correctly and dived to his left keeping the ball out of his net.

Then with four added minutes on the clock Lewis Strafford was judged to have handled in his own penalty area. Step up again Richard Gregory for his second attempt only for Bennion to save again and to adding Sporting's despondency he even managed to hang on to Gregory's rebound. That was the last action of the match as time was blown shortly afterwards.

Mixed feelings for Sporting who clearly had opportunities to take the three points but the best two chances of the match in open play went to the home side. However they seemed to be happy with the draw judging by their celebrations at the end.

Aylesbury: Nick Bennion, Luke Cray (Capt), Craig Carby, Jordan Jenkins, Derek Feyi, Lewis Strafford, Reece Bayliss (Bruno Brito 49 mins), Carl Tappin, Aaron King, Ryan Ware, Josh Williams (Kyreece Martei 90+2 mins).

Substitutes unused: Temi Oladejo, Alfi Touceda, Ash Jenkins.
Yellows: Carl Tappin (76 mins), Nick Bennion (85 mins), Lewis Strafford (90+4 mins)
Red: Craig Carby (FT)

Sporting: Jono Brown, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Hayward, Craig Jones (Capt.), Danny Morris (Harry Higginson 61 mins), Charlie Dowd (John Pykett 67 mins), Josh Quaynor, Ashanti Pryce (Cameron Peters 58 mins), Will Shorrock.

Substitutes unused: Tom Massey, R'mar Murray
Yellows: Charlie Dowd (53 mins), Jon Brown (73 mins), Cameron Peters (86 mins)

Referee: Mr G Kornasiewicz (Oxford)
Assistants: Mr S Gregory, Mr K Bungay

Crowd: 168
Weather: Cool, heavy drizzle

Sporting MoM: Jono Brown.

Reporter: Phil Baker