Midland Football League - The Les James (League) Cup Round Two
Saturday 11th October 2014, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Bromsgrove Sporting (0) 2 Smithswood Firs (1) 1
Deja vu cascaded over the Victoria Ground as Bromsgrove Sporting once again went into half time losing, only to win. Two truly special strikes from Will Tibbetts and captain Simon Fitter ensured that Sporting fans went home happy after what was, at times, a frustrating encounter.
From the off, the home side threatened going forward with Tibbetts and the lively Aaron Daniels terrorising the flanks with neat interplay. Fifteen minutes in, a run by Daniels led to a shot by Sam Wills, which was only just over the crossbar. To this point, Smithswood had struggled to get a foothold in the game, creating very little.
Shortly before thirty minutes were played, Wills had a curling free kick superbly saved by the opposition's shot-stopper David Stratford. Sporting were still well in control at this point and Smithswood knew this.
However, on the 41st minute, an emphatic finish from Smithswood's Chris Else meant that all of Sporting's hard work had been undone. It could have been a whole lot worse for the home side. Just before the half time whistle was blown, Nathan Leek evaded the offside trap, appearing unaware of the time he had. The result: a rushed finish.
After the break, Sporting came out all guns blazing. A wasted early chance mattered little as a minute later; Tibbetts fired home a thumping volley just inside the area, aided massively by a delicious cross from Wills.
For fifteen minutes after Sporting's 47th minute strike, play slowed down somewhat. This was until the 66th minute when Fitter scored an unbelievable free kick from near the half way line. The keeper may have been unsighted due to the October sun setting, but nevertheless, it was an awesome attempt from Rouslers' captain, comparable to similar efforts of Messrs Beckham and Ronaldinho.
The concluding 25 minutes were played in the same tone. Smithswood began to get weary after putting in a spirited display for most of the game and Sporting capitalised on this. Wills and Craig Jones both had shots that were either put wide or well saved by Stratford (who, to his credit had a good game barring possibly being at fault for Fitter's goal).
The final whistle blew to large cheers from the home fans in the Shed End. Again, Sporting showed spirit to come from behind to win a game that, occasionally, looked as though they were destined not to score.
Sporting (red/white striped shirts, blue shorts, blue socks): Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Chris Sockett, Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, Ryan Mahon, Will Tibbetts (Reece Hewitt 83 mins), Aaron Daniels, Gary Hay (Sean Brain 71 mins), Sam Wills, Danny Ludlow (Jozsef Jakab 71 mins).
Unused substitutes: Chrisi Conway, Scott Smith
Scorers: Will Tibbetts (48 mins), Simon Fitter (65 mins)
Cards: None
Smithswood (Navy blue/sky shirts, sky shorts, navy socks): David Stratford, Chris Else, Andrew Glenn, Nathan Leek (William McKenna 76 mins), Adam Rooke, Anthony Short, Aaron Hughes (Nathaniel Darby 54 mins), Lee Harris, Craig Evans (Capt.) Curtis Thomas, Aaron Anderson (Adam Hemming 68 mins).
Substitutes not used: Carl Thompson, Daniel Billingsley
Scorer: Chris Else (41 mins)
Yellows: Aaron Hughes (34 mins), Nathan Leek (73 mins)
Referee: Mr A Glazzard (Stourbridge)
Assistants: Mr R Lovegrove (Redditch), Mr J Hennessey (Redditch)
Crowd: 229
Weather: Warm, bright
Sporting Man of the Match: Aaron Daniels
