The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central, Saturday 184th February 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (20) Kings Langley 0 (0) at The Victoria Ground
Following two consecutive draws for Sporting, player/manager Mike McGrath's team were back at home against Kings Langley hoping to make it two wins out of two in the league at home writes Shaunna-Grace Murphy.
An unchanged starting line-up with Kartell Dawkins, Tom Taylor, Jack Newell and McGrath at the back provided stability again for the side with a much-needed clean sheet.
Sporting created pressure throughout the first ten minutes with Brandon Smalley having the best chance but his shot went out for a goal kick.
Kings Langley though gradually clawed their way in to the game with striker Wilson de Carvalho forcing Ollie Taylor between the sticks for the Rouslers into a good low save. Moments later, Kings' 'keeper Jack Berman attempted to clear only for the ball to bounce off Smalley's shins and go just wide of the right-hand post.
However, Sporting did take the lead on the 13th minute following Smalley's corner that went to Jack Newell at the far post, he sent the ball back across the face of the goal to find McGrath who scrambled the ball into the net off his legs.
The goal appeared to give the home side some confidence as they attempted to increase their lead; both Ammar Dyer and Jack Tolley came close but their week shots were easily saved by Berman.
However, in the dying minutes of the first half, Ollie Taylor sent an outstanding ball from his own box well into the opposition half that found Dyer, who superbly chipped over Berman with his first touch to make it 2-0 to Sporting.
The second half was relatively quiet. Tolley got the ball in to the net following a good run by Ayo Lekuti only to find that he was offside. Kings though threatened more and de Carvalho will kick himself for missing an open goal midway through the half. Ollie Taylor did make a couple of great saves to keep a clean sheet for his side and more importantly three points for Sporting.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Jack Newell, Kartell Dawkins, Joe Curtis (Conor Tee 67 mins), Tom Taylor (Capt), Mike McGrath, Ammar Dyer, Mo Njie, Jack Tolley (Miro Pais 60 mins), Brandon Smalley, Ayo Lekuti. Unused substitutes: Lewis Wright, Nathan Kebaya, Dewain Sewell.
Referee: Mr A Clarke
Crowd: 605
Sporting Man of the Match: Ammar Dyer