The Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, Saturday 16th September2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Barwell 1 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (1) at The UK Flooring Direct Stadium
Bromsgrove Sporting continued their fine run of away form last Saturday when they beat Barwell in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup setting up a home tie in the next round against Chelmsford City on September 30th.
The weather was a lot cooler than the previous Saturday but still warm and pleasant when the game kicked off on Barwell's artificial pitch and it was the home side who started much brighter dominating the early stages. Wing-back Josh Flanagan had the first chance on just 3 minutes but his effort went over the bar whilst there were sighs of relief when Brady Hickey's powerful header was stopped by the right-hand post a couple of minutes later.
Having survived a couple of scares, Sporting gradually eased themselves in the game with Jack Newell and Billy Shaw firing narrowly over the bar.
On 24 minutes, Tom Cursons for Barwell had an open goal at his mercy but failed to connect but there was no mistake two minutes later when keeper Harry Griffiths sent a clearance up the middle of the field to striker Dan Holman, who evaded the Sporting back four and with just Ollie Taylor to beat, slid the ball to the keeper's right and into the net to give the Canaries the lead.
Sporting should have equalised on the 31st minute when an immaculate drive from 25 yards from Billy Shaw ricocheted off the bar but a minute later, Callum King-Harmes made a good run to the edge of the box passing to Prince Henry who turned and danced past a couple of defenders before firing low past Griffiths' outstretched left arm to equal up proceedings.
Sporting could consider themselves unlucky not to be in front at the end of the first half with both Keanu Cooper and Connor Tee connecting with the woodwork.
The tempo of the match slowed down a bit after the interval with both teams looking a little more cautious. Flanagan forced Taylor into a low save with 54 minutes on the clock whilst at the other end, Conor Tee blasted over the bar with an open net in front of him.
Across the match, Sporting had forced a number of corners and not really made any of them count but all that changed on the 63rd minute when Tee dropped the ball neatly into the Barwell goal area where it was met with a powerful header from Jack Newell that went into the middle of the net giving the Bromsgrove outfit the lead.
Barwell attempted to get a goal back but chances were few and far between as the Sporting defence remained solid and so the final score remained as a narrow win for the Rouslers to progress in the world'smost famous knock-out completion.
After the final whistle, Sporting coach Craig Nicholls admitted that Barwell were a good side but Sporting passed the ball well, controlled the game and gained a deserved win.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Aksum White, Bill Shaw, Jack Newell, Aaron Roberts, Mike McGrath, Callum King-Harmes, Keanu Cooper, Prince Henry (Miro Pais 74 mins), Conor Tee, Luke Rowe (Capt). Unused substitutes: Goodluck Eke, Kane Auld, David Solademi, Gus Sanches, Kieron Berry.
Referee: Mr D Smith
Sporting Player of the Match: Jack Newell
Attendance: 251
