Following a brilliant display against Tamworth mid-week, Bromsgrove Sporting lost 7-1 last Saturday in a league match against Suffolk club, Leiston writes Shaunna-Grace Murphy.
Manager Thomas Baillie made a formation change of 4-3-3 as he was conscious that the club were playing well but not scoring goals. A forward three of Mikey Taylor, Dan Sweeney and Zidan Sutherland on paper were a threat, however on the day it did not come through.
Sporting's number one 'keeper Ollie Taylor got injured against Tamworth so unfortunately was left out of the squad and Baillie brought in Liam Armstrong on loan from Gloucester City to cover the position.
The game kicked off and instantly went in Leiston's favour. As early as the fourth minute Finlay Barnes opened the scoring and in the eight minute he doubled his tally. On the eleventh minute, Adam Bailey-Dennis scored with a glancing header via a corner, nothing the new 'keeper Armstrong could have done.
Things went from bad to worse for sporting when in the 25th minute Jake Hutchings made it four then seconds later Ben Fowkes made it five before adding number six on the 44th minute.
Big changes were expected from Sporting after the interval and a slight formation change saw Sweeney playing up front with Taylor and Sutherland behind.
Ammar Dyer was the brightest spark in the second half, making excellent runs up and down the wing and some great attacking play and was a key to Sporting not conceding more.
However with 67th minutes gone, Will Davies made it seven for Leiston. The game quietened down following this goal with Sporting bringing on in-form Ryan Edmunds on the left wing to replace Sweeney.
On the 87th minute, Sporting had a small respite when a penalty was awarded. Mikey Taylor converted the spot-kick to make the scoreline look slightly more respectable but the goal wasn't enough for The Rouslers to take anything from the game.
Overall, the second half was a much improved performance on the first and showed what Sporting could do under pressure. Credit should go to both Dyer and Edmunds for their effort respective efforts.
However this was Sporting's third successive home defeat and it came as little surprise that a couple of days later the Club announced that they, manager Thomas Baillie and his backroom team were parting company by mutual consent. In the interim, central defender Mike McGrath will take charge of team affairs and will be advised by former assistant manager, Andy Mason.
On Saturday, the team travel to Ilkeston in Derbyshire in hope of turning the first half of the season around.
Sporting line-up: Liam Armstrong, Kieran Dawes (Callum King-Harmes 63 mins), Ammar Dyer, Joe Curtis, Tom Taylor, Mike McGrath (Capt), Harvey Gregson, George Forsyth, Dan Sweeney (Ryan Edmunds 56 mins), Mikey Taylor, Zidan Sutherland. Unused Substitutes: Jack Byrne, Lewis Wright, Miro Pais.
Referee: Mr J Allsopp (Wolverhampton), Crowd: 618
