Bromsgrove Sporting (Kettle 25' & 73')
Barwell 0
Two goals from captain Joel Kettle helped steer Bromsgrove to victory over Barwell.
A close range finish 25 minutes in was followed by an authoritative header with 17 minutes remaining.
Miro Pais had a shot saved for Sporting in the 6th minute, whilst Ben Stephens shot wide for Barwell a minute later.
The Rouslers' Walsall-loanee Joe Willis had a shot blocked soon after. Moments later, Stephens was through on goal once again after a great through ball, but he shot wide from a one on one position.
The deadlock was broken when some superb work from Jamie Molyneux out wide allowed him to tee up Kettle, who smashed home from two yards.
Barwell had a golden opportunity 10 minutes after the goal, as Tristan Dunkley caught the defence half asleep, got through on goal but he put his effort wide.
Kettle had a header saved from a corner eight minutes into the second half. In the 64th minute, Stephens zinged a 30 yard free kick just over the bar.
Molyneux had a couple of efforts midway through the half that he couldn't convert into a goal but the second came in the 73rd minute, as a Willis corner was emphatically headed home by centre back Kettle.
Stephens had two further chances late on but Aaron Clayton was equal to them both in between the Sporting sticks.
Entertainment Rating: 3/5
Player of the Match: Joel Kettle (Bromsgrove Sporting)
Attendance: 632
50/50 number: 07183
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 Barwell 0
Defeat for Barwell in Worcestershire
Barwell's last away game until the end of February ended with a 2-0 defeat at Bromsgrove Sporting on a frustrating afternoon for the Canaries. Barwell missed four good chances in the game, three in the first half, and were punished by Joel Kettle who scored both goals for the home side.
Barwell, kicking up the slope in the first half, started well. A free kick was won in the opening minute and it was just on the corner of the area. Ben Stephens took it but his strike was just wide of the far post. At the other end, Liam Castle made a good stop from Pais in the 6th minute before Stephens had another chance but again saw it go wide.
It was the Barwell striker who went close again after 17 minutes. Lucas Powell managed to play a good ball through to Stephens and the attacker was clean through on Clayton in the Sporting goal. The ball, however, went wide again. Just five minutes later it was Stephens who played in Harry Bower with a fine through ball. The young loanee ran through on goal but his shot was also wide of the post.
On 25 minutes, the home side took the lead and it was probably against the run of play. Molyneux beat Eddy Nisevic on the right hand side and made a low, powerful cross from the byline. The ball was met by Joel Kettle who beat Castle to the ball and lifted the ball in to the roof of the net.
Tristan Dunkley had a golden chance to level the score when he was played through and was one on one with Clayton in the Sporting goal. The Barwell man rounded Clayton and shaped to shoot. As he did so a defender had got back and clipped Dunkley. The shot went in to the side netting and the referee waved away the Barwell shouts for a penalty.
Half Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 1 Barwell 0
Bromsgrove started the second half with a free kick that the Barwell defence dealt with well and it was an early indication of their attacking intent. Taylor made a good cross after 51 minutes but it evaded anyone else in the box and Barwell were able to clear the ball. Liam Castle was then called in to action a minute later when he saved a header.
William Warren was brought on as a sub and the young player did well in his first few minutes on the pitch. His play helped to win a free kick that was around 25 yards out and Ben Stephens stepped up to take it. Unfortunately the ball was sent over the bar.
On 72 minutes, Bromsgrove got a second goal. Joel Kettle headed a corner home to score and wrap up the points for the home side. For Barwell it was another goal conceded from a set piece this season and this must be something that the management team are working on with the players.
Both goalkeepers were called in to action as the game started to come to a close. Castle saved from Willis and Clayton denied Ben Stephens twice so that the game ended with a 2-0 home win. On another afternoon it would have been a game that ended in an away win but on this particular day it was not to be.
Full Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 2 Barwell 0
Attendance: 632
