The Southern League Premier Division Central - Saturday 26th March 2022, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Barwell 2 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 3 (1) at The UK Flooring Direct Ground

A vital win for Bromsgrove Sporting gave them three valuable points and importantly allowed them to climb out of the relegation zone. After five straight defeats, this was only the second win of the year and the second win on the road for the season.

The Rouslers could not have had a better start. On just the second minute, Barwell conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Up stepped Josh Quaynor to curve the ball home over the two-man wall and keeper Max Bramley into the top left hand corner; Sporting's first goal in 366 minutes of football!

The goal looked to have given the away team a jolt of confidence as just a couple of minutes later, Jamie Molyneux, playing as a striker rather than on the flanks, made a great run through the middle but his weak shot was easily gathered by Bramley. Will Shorrock was also keen to get into the action but having got into a good position on the 9th minute, sent his shot over the bar.

The Canaries though started to gradually ease themselves into the match when William Edjenguele headed just over the bar but on the 17th minute the dynamic changed when Ollie Taylor, between the sticks for Sporting, dived to prevent Ben Stephens getting to a useful pass into the box but caught the striker's heels rather than the ball. Mr Scott had no hesitancy in pointing to the penalty spot which Stephens duly converted.

Sporting though continued to enjoy the majority of the possession but adversity struck on the 31st minute when central defender Charlie Wise fell awkwardly after making a clearance tearing a ligament and had to be stretchered from the pitch. Michael McGrath came on as a substitute returning to Sporting after a spell in the 2018/9 season.

The two teams continued to trade blows until the 44th minute when a clumsy tackle by Dom Perkins saw Stephens go down a little easily in the box gaining his side another spot kick. This time though Taylor guessed right and managed to punch the effort away for a corner.

After the interval, Sporting continued to dominate with efforts by McGrath and Josh Dugmore going over the bar. But with 59 minutes on the clock, Will Shorrock curled over an inch-perfect corner that Callum Ebanks headed into the back of Bramley's net to restore the away team's lead.

That lead lasted for 10 minutes until the impressive Stephens found himself with plenty of space to the right of Sporting's goal and crossed into the box for Brady Hickey to drive home.

However just a couple of minutes later, Sporting gained another corner and this time Josh Quaynor put the inch-perfect ball in to the box that Ebanks again gleefully headed home thus giving Sporting the lead for the third time.

After that it was a tense 20 minutes until Mr Scott finally blew for the end but Sporting continued to control the game and it would not have been an injustice had they scored another via the boots of Ebanks, Dugmore or Molyneux.

As well as the injury to Wise the only other downbeat moment was a double-yellow for manager Gavin Hurren for being a little too persistent in pointing out Mr Scott's apparent error in awarding the second penalty.

After the game though, Hurren said "This is a tremendous result for the Bromsgrove Sporting family and I would like to thank all the travelling fans who have given us so much support today."

Barwell: Max Bramley, Kyron Stabana, Micah Edwards, Elliott Percival, William Edjenguele, Dom Brown-Hill (Lucas Powell 71 mins), James Rowland (Max Brogan 62 mins), Tyler Haddow, Ben Stephens, Brady Hickey (Capt), William Warren (Marcus Painter 85 mins).

Sub unused: Liam Castle.

Goals: Ben Stephens (pen, 18 mins), Brady Hickey (69 mins)

Cards: none.

Sporting: Ollie Taylor, Josh Dugmore, Josh Quaynor, Dom Perkins (Toby Raison 63 mins), Charlie Wise (Michael McGrath 36 mins), Joel Kettle (Capt), Joe Willis, Tom Taylor, Jamie Molyneux, Callum Ebanks, Will Shorrock (Mitch Candlin 88 mins).

Subs unused: Jon Letford, Matt Barnes-Homer.

Goals: Josh Quaynor (2 mins), Callum Ebanks (59, 71 mins).

Yellows: Dom Perkins (13 mins), Callum Ebanks (45+5 mins)

Referee: Mr L Scott

Assistants Mr S Lee, Mr R Fullick

Crowd: 303

Weather: Warm, sunny.

Sporting MoM (voted by fans on Twitter): Josh Quaynor

Report: Phil Baker

Stats:
                              Barwell         Sporting

Shots on target              4                      9
Shots off target              3                     10
Free kicks                      10                      8
Offsides                          1                       1
Corners                           3                      7
Yellows                            0                      2
Goals                               2                      3