The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central, Saturday 4th February 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Bromsgrove Sporting 3 (1) Hednesford Town 1 (1) at the Victoria Ground

A busy afternoon was set for Bromsgrove Sporting, but following a few unfortunate results they had their eyes set on three points upon their return to the Victoria Ground writes Shaunna-Grace Murphy.

Jack Newell returned to the side having recovered from his head injury sustained a couple of weeks ago whilst ace striker Dan Sweeney was missing from the line-up pending rumours that he is on his way to a bigger club so Miro Pais partnered Brandon Smalley up front.

The match started at a lively pace and Hednesford could have gone a goal up with their first attack but Newell was on hand to clear off the line. From that near miss play went up the other end of the pitch and Sporting fans were given plenty to cheer about when they were awarded a free kick but Smalley's effort smashed off the side netting. With that confidence though, he then went on to convert his second of the day from the edge of the penalty area giving his team the lead on the 9th minute.

Unfortunately the advantage did not last too long with opponents, The Pitmen equalising in the 16th minute when Sporting 'keeper Ollie Taylor parried a good shot by Todd Parker only for the ball to drop to James McQuilkin who easily fired home from a short range.

The home side looked slightly deflated following this setback despite looking the better of the two sides but there were no further changes to the scoreline up to half-time.

Sporting came out in the second half looking more positive and with a clear plan in mind and just four minutes after the restart they took the lead. Hednesford cleared the ball up field and it was played from Smalley to Mo Njie who went on a dazzling run down the left and just into the goal area before slotting past 'keeper Luke Jackson.

Five minutes on and Sporting were awarded another free-kick this time on the right near the corner flag. Again Smalley was the supplier into the middle of the box where captain Tommy Taylor got his head on the end to make it 3 - 1 to the Rouslers.

Kyle Bennett and Jordan Graham had a couple of decent efforts that could have got their team back into the match whilst Pais and Njie worked a neat move that nearly gained Sporting a bigger advantage.

In the dying minutes Ollie Taylor made a brilliant save from Hednesford substitute Stanley Asomugha but there were no further goals and with the light fading, Mr Enever blew for full-time to give Sporting a well-deserved three points.

Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Jack Newell, Kartell Dawkins, Joe Curtis, Tom Taylor (Capt), Mike McGrath, Ammar Dyer, Mo Njie, Miro Pais, Brandon Smalley (Dewain Sewell 74 mins, Dom Perkins 84 mins), Ayo Lekuti (Jack Tolley 62 mins). Unused substitutes: Callum King-Harmes, Blake Kindred.
Referee: Mr G Enever (Gloucester)
Crowd: 633
Sporting Man of the Match: Mo Njie