The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central - Monday 10th April 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Bromsgrove Sporting 3 (2) Stourbridge 4 (0) at The Victoria Ground

In a game that fully epitomised a derby day, turned into late mayhem as Stourbridge beat Bromsgrove 4-3.

Easter Monday brought the Glassboys to The Victoria Ground with many former Bromsgrove players returning their old stomping ground, amongst them, Jack Wilson, Joe Hull, former captain Joel Kettle, Bromsgrove’s all-time top goal-scorer and the man who helped guide them to back-back promotions Jason Cowley. As well Leon Broadhurst who was the predecessor to Kettle as Sporting captain and now joint Stourbridge manager alongside Stuart Pierpoint.

With the Kings Langley match against Hitchin Town postponed, Bromsgrove’s position in the Pitching-In Southern Premier Division Central couldn’t be decided but they would all but ensure safety as win would leave them 9 points clear of Kings with 2 games to go and their relegation rivals with a game in hand needing to win all of their remaining 3 games to stay safe.

The game started slow with no clear chances for either side in the first quarter as the experienced centre-back partnership of captain Tom Taylor and player/manager Michael McGrath held firm.

Bromsgrove broke the deadlock 20 minutes in when Brandon Smalley manage to catch the Stourbridge defence napping as he stole the ball and led a fast breakaway for the home side, found his way into box and unselfishly played a ball square to Prince Henry for his first goal for the club as the home side made it 1-0.

Play was suspended for the next five minutes after the goal, as Smalley was being treated for head injury that he picked up during the build-up of the goal. The Rouslers had now stepped it up a notch but with the greater intensity and higher press allowed Stourbridge their first chance of the game, as a great bit of footwork Jaiden White freed up some space on the right hand side as he lofted the ball deep into the Sporting penalty area where Jason Cowley was on the end of it with his shot going away in the far corner producing a great save from Ollie Taylor who scrambled across his goal-line to push it away for a corner.

After that scare for the Rouslers they quickly looked to double their lead when Henry won the ball in his own half played a short pass through to Mo Sebbeh who carried to the halfway line. His through ball found Miro Pais and with his sheer pace the winger carried the ball the length of the Stourbridge half, opened his body up and shot through legs of Stourbridge 'keeper Charlie Price to make it 2-0 and that’s how the half ended.

Both teams came back out for the second period but by that point the game had seemed to lose it spark. Sporting were defending deep and moving the ball in and around their own half. The game though was slowly beginning to change and that happened when Sporting were down to ten men after captain Tom Taylor was sent off for a second bookable offence when he fouled half-time substitute Dexter Walters.

Then with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, the mayhem began as Stourbridge were awarded a free-kick which they played short to the right hand side, White passed the ball square across to Cowley whose shot deflected and found the roof of the net and so began a match that would turn into a roller-coaster of emotion and moments of shock and confusion.

The confusion then began as Ollie Taylor appeared to handle the ball twice with the referee awarding an indirect free-kick inside the Sporting box which was hammered low and converted by Cowley for his second of the game.

With the match at 2 - 2 and having entered added time but the drama hadn’t stopped there as Bromsgrove struggled to clear their lines when a cross floated into the air found Farid Mikidam for a free header to put Stourbridge 3-2 up.

Sporting immediately went up the other end winning a corner. However on the side-lines Stourbridge were ready to make their final substitution of the game but he wasn’t ready so the referee let the corner take place and Kartell Dawkins' half-volley ballooned up into the air to the boot of Jack Newell who turned ball across the line to equalise the game with Sporting players and fans alike celebrated in joy thinking they had at least salvaged a point.

With the game tied up a 3-3 everyone thought it was all over but one chance would send the majority of the Victoria Ground into shock. There was enough time for one final corner that looked to be safely cleared amongst the chaos but the linesman flagged for a handball on McGrath leaving everyone in shock and leading to another red card for Sebbeh after he put his hands on the linesmen. After conferring with his assistant, Mr Sheppard, awarded the penalty. Tyler Lyttle stepped up and despatched it away to win the game for Stourbridge. The away side were up and down the touchline and on to the pitch, whilst the Sporting touchline was standing in shock.

The game ended 4-3 to the Glassboys with the home side clearly unhappy with the end. Safety is still in Bromsgrove’s own hands needing at least a one win in their final two games. Next up is the last home match of the season on Saturday against Barwell.

Sporting: Ollie Taylor, Nathan Kabeya, Ayo Lekuti, Kartell Dawkins, Tom Taylor (Capt), Mike McGrath, Jo Curtis, Mo Sebbeh, Prince Henry (Tris Dunkley 90 mins), Brandon Smalley (Conor Tee 82 mins), Miro Pais (Jack Newell 63 mins).

Unused substitutes: Demi Akinwe, Mikel Brown

Stourbridge: Charles Price, Ethan Vaughan (Dexter Walters 46 mins), Jack Wilson (Farid Mikidam 73 mins), Alex Prosser, Joel Kettle, Joe Hull, Jaiden White, Reece King (Capt), Jason Cowley, Callum Rose, Tyler Lyttle.

Unused substitutes: Darryl Knights, Callum Gittings, Chris Knight.

Attendance: 839

Referee: Andrew Sheppard

Sporting MoTM: Miro Pais

Reporter: Cameron Jarvis