BROMSGROVE Sporting’s first ever venture into the FA Trophy was brought to an abrupt end by fellow Southern League Division One Central outfit Corby Town.
A bumper crowd of 954 packed the Victoria Ground to watch the top two teams of the division battling it out in the extra preliminary round, with Corby making their first visit to town since February 2008 when they beat the now defunct Bromsgrove Rovers 2-0 in a Southern League Premier encounter.
And it was the visitors who started much the brighter of the two teams today (Saturday), with Corby enjoying plenty of possession as well as looking dangerous on the attack.
One key chance fell to Eliot Sandy in the 23rd minute but his guided header went over the bar.
However, two minutes later the visitors were in front went Joe Carta capitalised on a poor pass in the middle of the park by Daniel Morris before playing in Sandy who rounded the onrushing Jonathan Brown and tapped into an empty net.
Corby’s lead lasted just six minutes, though, with John Pykett rifling home the equaliser from inside the area after latching on to Will Shorrock’s cross from the left-hand side.
Sporting came close to taking the advantage in the 36th minute but Jack Wilson’s pile-driver of an effort flashed just wide of the far post.
With half-time approaching Corby were awarded a controversial penalty, with Morris being penalised for a challenge on Jordan Crawford.
Morris had won the ball fairly but not in the eyes of referee Blake Antrobus who may have punished the defender for challenging from behind.
Carta took responsibility from 12 yards out, sending Brown the wrong way and slotting home into the bottom right-hand corner.
After the break Corby started on the front foot and their pressure was rewarded just five minutes into the second period when Connor Kennedy rose highest to head home Sam Warburton’s corner.
Sporting came close to reducing the arrears four minutes later but Dan George was equal to Josh Quaynor’s curling effort from the edge of the area.
Brendan Kelly’s men continued to push, with Richard Gregory poking wide of the far post from inside the area with 17 minutes remaining.
Corby keeper George had to be at his best to tip over Nathan Hayward’s fizzing shot from distance as Sporting pushed for a way back into the game.
Despite having eight minutes of stoppage time to play with, Sporting could not find a way back into the match, ensuring Corby would progress to the next round where they will play host to Yaxley on Saturday, October 13.
Report courtesy of Craig Gibbons - Bromsgrove Standard.
Goals from Sandy, Carta and Kennedy booked a place in the Preliminary Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Manager Steve Kinniburgh named an unchanged side from the fantastic 4-1 win at Bromsgrove’s near neighbours Alvechurch in the Emirates FA Cup 7 days earlier.
With Sporting sitting top of the league, it was always going to be a tough afternoon at the Victoria Ground, but one that the Steelmen were looking forward to after a flying start to the season.
The game was preceded by an impeccably observed minute silence following the tragic news that former Bromsgrove sporting youth team player Tom Jones had tragically lost his life. The thoughts of everyone at Corby Town are with the family and friends of Tom at this tragic time.
Corby started the game on the front foot and had the first chances of the game, first, Jamie Anton got on the end of a Sam Warburton corner but his header lacked conviction and was glanced across the face of the goal, and then a long throw from Connor Kennedy was only half cleared, the ball falling to Jordon Crawford on the edge of the area, but his half volley sailed over the bar.
Sam Warburton picked up the game’s first booking on 10 minutes, sporting breaking from a Corby set-piece, knocking the ball wide and running into the left back. What seemed like a natural coming together of two players chasing the same ball was deemed a tactical foul 70 yards from goal after only 10 minutes!
The Steelmen took the lead after 24 minutes. Sporting tried playing out from the back, Joel Carta pressured the defence to win the ball and release Elliot Sandy, who ran into the area, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net.
Sporting stepped up the pressure but the Corby defence stood firm until the 31st minute, when the hosts levelled the scores! Corby struggled to get the ball clear, with the ball finally falling to Pykett who took a touch before spinning and smashing home yards from goal. Bromsgrove had the bit between their teeth here and should have gone in front. A quick free kick caught Corby sleeping, the ball was smashing across the face of the goal with Peter’s inches from getting a stud on the ball and diverting home!
The referee seemed to be losing control of the game, Sandy was flagged offside, and just as the striker lobbed the keeper, the referee blew his whistle, but still booked the Corby striker. The game then reconvened despite there being 2 balls on the pitch.
Then the biggest moment of controversy came in the 41st Minute. Sandy played the ball into Jordon Crawford who made a run into the box, Morris made what appeared to be an expertly timed tackle on the winger, but the referee adjudged that Morris had went through Crawford to win the ball and awarded a penalty. There was then a 3 minute delay while the host’s players were arguing with the officials and the Steelmen. Ben Bradshaw ended up on the floor after being throttled by Morris and then pushed numerous times by Gregory. With everyone settled down and Carta ready to take the kick, Roberts then decided to declare his frustrations, again holding up the penalty. In the end it mattered not a jot as Joel Carta calmly sent Brown the wrong way and rolled the ball home.
Half Time Bromsgrove Sporting 1-2 Corby Town
The second half started just as the first, Corby playing the ball about and winning some earlier set-pieces, and it was from one of these that the Steelmen made it 3!
Another wonderfully delivered corner from Sam Warburton was this time met in the box by Connor Kennedy who headed home his first goal of the season. Peters got himself in the book for a shocking kick on Crawford, an over hit goal kick was sailing well over both players heads and out for a throw, Peters deciding to instead take a strong swipe at the shins of the young Corby winger.
The next player in the referees’ book was Jones for a two handed shove on Sandy in the middle of the pitch, the Sporting players clearly showing signs of frustration with how the afternoon was going for them.
Crawford then became the 3rd Steelman into the book, and the 2nd for kicking the ball away after being flagged offside. Play was then held up for 5 minutes after a nasty clash of heads between Joel Carta and Dan George, the Corby 'keeper having to leave the field to change his shirt that had ended up with blood splattered over the front from a broken and bloody nose!
Sporting were trying to push the tempo in search of a way back into the match, but the Steelmen defence against showed by they have conceded very few goal this season, restricting the hosts to half chances from range or snap shot efforts that George collected easily. The Steelmen were still a threat, Bettles was denied a goal by a great last ditch tackle from Morris, this time the angle was closer to 45 degrees than the 90 degree challenge for the penalty.
Dan George was then called into action, Hayward taking aim from long range and George tipped over as the ball appeared to be going just under the bar.
Hayward was then booked by the referee for arguing about the decision to award a corner to Corby, one that Sporting 'keeper Brown did not take too well, unleashing a volley of abuse at the nearside linesman before telling him that he hates him! From a long throw, Bettles rose highest to nod the ball down to Carta on the edge of the area, but his first time volley just cleared the crossbar.
Down the other end, Shorrock found space on the left hand side, broke into the box but his shot on goal was blocked by Miles Smith.
That was the final act of the game, with the Steelmen booking a date with Yaxley on Saturday 13th October at Steel Park
Full Time Bromsgrove Sporting 1-3 Corby Town
Attendance 954
Report courtesy of James McCafferty (Corby Town F. C.).
