Two goals in injury time provided a thrilling end to an absorbing game. Lichfield, with a number of new players, were expected to be The Rouslers' most difficult opposition yet. This was how it turned out and, against a team including several players who have played at a much higher level, this is a point gained rather than two lost.
In the early stages the Rouslers dominated the midfield exchanges but it was Lichfield who were creating the better goal scoring opportunities, Bourne shooting over from a good position and McGettrick saving at his near post from Williams.
Nonetheless it was Sporting who took the lead after 17 minutes with a penalty scored by Jamie Rogers. Lichfield continued to threaten and might have levelled on the half hour when McGettrick flapped at a long throw and both Onions and Dan Mason had shots blocked.
After Sporting had had a couple of speculative attempts on goal through Harris and Barnes the visitors equalised on 40 minutes. Onions' twenty-yard shot was parried by McGettrick and the ball fell to Dan Mason who scored. The goal had been threatened and was no more than Lichfield deserved. As half time approached they were taking a firm grip on the game and should have gone in front on 44 minutes when a whipped cross from the left was headed just wide by goal scorer Mason.
Lichfield continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half. On 50 minutes Williams sprinted clear of the Sporting defence but his shot was saved by McGettrick at point blank range, the follow up going wide. The Rouslers were getting forward at every opportunity but hesitation and a poor final ball meant that clear-cut chances were few. Barnes and Wilkes were finding it hard to escape the shackles of the Lichfield back four.
On the hour Banbury should have put Lichfield in front but headed wide from a free kick. McGettrick saved from Mason while Lawson shot just over after a long throw had caused confusion in the Sporting penalty area.
On 85 minutes Lawson was sent off following an off-the-ball incident. He was clearly unhappy with the decision and was involved in a heated exchange with the Sporting bench as he went off. Sporting were unable to make the numerical advantage count and in the third minute of added time a ball over the top released Williams who finished well from close range. This sparked scenes of wild celebration among the visiting players and staff, itself a sign of how much a win over Sporting meant.
There was time for one final Sporting attack. The ball was played up into the six-yard box and Sean Westley rose to head the ball into his own net for the equaliser, with barely enough time left for the game to restart.
Sporting were playing the best team they have faced this season and deserved the draw for their spirit and determination. This gripping game will live long in the memory.
Sporting: Jim McGettrick, Chris Bright (Ryan Molesworth 65 mins), Gareth Rogers, Nick Allen, Neil Cooksey, Nick Harris, Joe Brooks, Jamie Rogers, Odane Barnes, Dan Wilkes, Zac Blood.
Subs Not Used: Jamie McKeon, Shaun Maynard, Jordan Siviter, Shaun May
Scorers: Jamie Rogers (18, pen), Sean Westley (o.g. 90+5 mins)
Yellow Cards: None
Lichfield: Daniel Edwards, Dan W. Mason, Jason Fardoe, Ross Adams, Sean Westley, Stuart Hamilton, Lewis Bourne (Sam Geffen 76 mins), Lee Onions, Josh Bambury (James Lawson 62 mins), Sean Williams, Dan Mason (Liam Holt 46 mins)
Subs not used: Zak Marriott, Sam Russan
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 Lichfield City FC 2
Midland Football Combination League Division 2
Saturday 5th February Kick Off 3PM
Two very strong sides entertained a crowd of 377 who certainly had value for money in a game that had a bit of everything.
Early chances came and went at both ends until the dead lock was broken by Bromsgrove in the 17th minute after the award of a very dubious penalty against Ross Adams. Jamie Rogers duly converted the spot kick.
This sprung Lichfield into action and after a couple of near misses they eventually equalized in the 40th minute after a 20 yard shot from Lee Onions was saved well by the Bromsgrove keeper only to fall into the patch of Dan W Mason who coolly volleyed home.
Lichfield had the better of possession and chances in the second half but once James Lawson was given a straight red card in the 80th minute for a stray elbow then the expectation was that Bromsgrove would go all out for the winner.
This didn't materialize and it was Lichfield who went for the winner and had two good heading chances before in the 3rd minute of injury time Liam Holt did exceptionally well on the left hand side to sprint away from 2 defenders before delivering an inch perfect ball into the path of Sean "Willow" Williams who clinically finished.
Lichfield should of closed the game out but within seconds Bromsgrove were awarded a free kick to the right of the box after a needless trip. The ball was floated into the back post and after a mix up between Sean Westley and Sam Geffen, the latter managed to divert the ball past the hapless Dan Edwards.
Overall it was a great game and fantastic advert for the Midland Combination League, but Lichfield certainly felt like it was 2 points dropped after such a late equalizer and having created the better chances during the course of the game.
