The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central - Saturday 25th March 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (1) Mickleover (1) 3 at The Victoria Ground

It was a sunny Saturday in place last weekend for Non-League Day and Bromsgrove Sporting were looking to bounce back from an unfortunate run of results writes Shaunna-Grace Murphy.

After serving a two-match suspension, captain Tommy Taylor was back in the side though Ammar Dyer still has to serve one more game for his ban. New signing on loan from Bristol City, Prince Henry started up front whilst Joe Curtis took his place in midfield in place of Mo Sebbeh.

It took Sporting a while to get into the game with the visitors dominating proceedings and 'keeper Ollie Taylor being called upon a few times though it was Jack Newell at right-back who kept his team in the game making a making a brilliant goal-line clearance on the 10th minute. Despite defending well, The Rouslers went behind on 16 minutes when a cross into the box from Jake Bennett, was met precisely by Andrew Dales with a rare headed goal from the Mickleover ace.

Captain Tommy Taylor though was not looking well and had to come off on the 36th minute being replaced by Mo Sebbeh. Sporting were tried forward but failed to get past the Mickleover back line despite gaining a number of free-kicks in useful positions.

With the half time whistle looming, Sporting created their best chance of the half when Henry outpaced Philip Watt down the right, crossed to Brandon Smalley who smashed in giving Sporting a level playing field going into the second half.

However just five minutes after the interval Mickleover were back in the lead, again it was Dales taking his chance well and firing into the roof of the net after Stuart Beavon's initial shot was blocked. Moments later Conor Tee got into a good position but his shot went wide. Sporting to be fair played better as the game went on with Henry scuffing a couple of promising moves but Oliver Bosworth in the opposition goal was not greatly troubled.

With just one minute of time to go both teams appeared to be tired and the scoreline looking unlikely to change, the Bromsgrove defence seemed to freeze, as if waiting for a stoppage but it was play on after a slight hesitation for Elliott Reeves who went for goal and slotted it past the advancing Taylor to make it 3-1 for Mickelover.

So another disappointing afternoon for Sporting who drop down one place in the league to 14th but 6 points above the relegation zone.

Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Nathan Kabeya, Jack Newell, Kartell Dawkins, Tom Taylor (Capt, M Sebbeh 36 mins), Mike McGrath, Joe Curtis (Jack Tolley 67 mins), Conor Tee, Prince Henry, (Tris Dunkley 78 mins), Brandon Smalley, Ayo Lekuti.

Unused substitutes: Mikel Brown, Darryl Powell

Referee: Mr T Staten

Crowd: 768

Sporting Player of the Match: Jack Newell