After a disappointing result losing 1 - 0 away against Leiston the previous Tuesday evening, Bromsgrove Sporting bounced back on Saturday at the Victoria Ground with a hard-fought win against another Suffolk team, Needham Market.
Sporting though were without key players Will Shorrock and Tommy Taylor both of whom picked up injuries in the mid-week match resulting in manager Gavin Hurren having to shuffle a few players around. Matt Barnes-Homer made his first start for the Club up front and Toby Raison replaced Tom Taylor in the back four, whilst Mitch Candlin pulled on the number 11 shirt in place of Shorrock.
A bright first-half start for The Rouslers saw Matt Barnes-Homer score from a Josh Quaynor corner as early as the fourth minute. Minutes later, Callum Ebanks found Joel Kettle who unfortunately had his chance saved. Josh Dugmore continued his great run of performances this season with a chance that went just wide; Dugmore has been a stand-out performer this campaign for Sporting.
Nathan Hayward also came close to scoring when he received a great ball from Mike McGrath however Needham Markets 'keeper Marcus Garnham saved comfortably.
In the second half, the home side put pressure on their opponents with a series of corners which unfortunately came to nothing and Needham defended well throughout the second half. Joe Willis's excellent free-kick was saved by the away 'keeper, which was the biggest chance for Sporting in the second half.
In the final few minutes, after a Needham corner, Hayward cleared to Dugmore who put in a ball that split the Marketmen's defence and found Callum Ebanks but his shot went well over the bar.
In the end, a professional performance from Bromsgrove outfit who are under a lot of pressure to win points to stave off relegation and an intense few weeks due to fixture congestion.
Man of the Match (voted by Sporting fans on Twitter): Ollie Taylor
Crowd: 516
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Josh Dugmore, Josh Quaynor, Nathan Hayward, Toby raison, Joel Kettle, Joe Willis, Mike McGrath, Matt Barnes-Homer (Jon Letford 63 mins), Callum Ebanks (Jamie Molyneux 72 mins), Mitch Candlin (Dom Perkins 83 mins). Substitute unused: Cody Fisher.
Reporter: Shaunna-Grace Murphy
