Bromsgrove Sporting (Richards 45')
Stratford Town (Grocott 58', 87')
Bromsgrove Sporting exited the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday evening, as Stratford Town came from behind to run out 2-1 winners.
Courtney Richards scored his first Sporting goal with a neatly taken effort just before the half time whistle, but a second half brace from Will Grocott signalled Sporting's departure from the competition.
The visitors started sharply, with Leam Howards and Enoch Andoh having shots on goal, whilst Charlie Dowd had a drive blocked and Aram Soleman hit an effort wide for Sporting soon after,
Sporting certainly dominated the final five minutes of the opening 45; Dowd capped off a jinking run with a smashing shot that belted the crossbar, with Nathan Hayward having a strike from the edge of the area saved.
The pressure would ultimately pay off, as a cleared cross from Dowd into the box eventually ended at Richards' feet, who delightfully curled the ball into the bottom corner with his right foot.
The second half started with chances for both teams; a Soleman cross to Hayward saw the central midfielder produce a shot that was saved by feet of keeper Ty Belford, which was quickly followed by Howards smartly turning in the box and firing a hard shot that Daniel Platt was equal to.
A speedy attack after that save saw a Soleman ball into the box hit over via a Dowd diving header, but three minutes later, the equaliser came, as Sporting were unable to deal with an Alex Henshall ball into the box, which led to Grocott hitting home with aplomb.
Sporting substitute Mikey Taylor had two shots blocked in quick succession before he had a one-on-one effort saved by the feet of Belford, having been played through neatly by Chris Lait.
The winner came with just three minutes of normal time remaining, as Grocott capped of a Stratford move with a coolly struck finish past Platt from close range.
Entertainment Rating: 3/5
Player of the Match: Will Grocott (Stratford Town)
Attendance: 472
From the Stratford Town Website:
Town win at Bromsgrove in FA Cup thriller! report by Kevin Hand
By Andy Chilton
Comeback kings Town beat the Rouslers via a brace of Will Grocott goals!
Match Report
Bromsgrove Sporting FC v Stratford Town,<br>Tuesday 22 September 2020 7.45pm at The Victoria Ground
1st Round Qualifying Emirates FA Cup.
Bromsgrove 1 Stratford 2 HT (1-0)
Starting 11: Belford, Fry Muggleton, Curtis, Heaven, Williams, Kazaboni, Sammons, Howards, Grocott (Cpt), Andoh.
Goal Scorers: Bromsgrove: Richards 45 Stratford: Grocott 58, 87
Attendance: 472
GROCOTT DOUBLE SEES TOWN PROGRESS IN FA CUP
Two superb finishes from Captain, Will Grocott, saw Town come from behind and defeat Bromsgrove Sporting by two goals to one. The prize for this result is not just progress to the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup but a cash prize of £2,250.
There was just one change to the Town starting eleven with Howards replacing Feyi up front. Bromsgrove featured Courtney Richards and had two further ex-Townites on the bench in Chris Lait and Mikey Taylor.
The opening exchanges were frantic with Andoh and Kazaboni impressing on the flanks. As early as two minutes Sammons fired over from a good position and Howards had a goalward shot blocked on 8.
As the half progressed Bromsgrove began to dominate edging the midfield battle and starving the Stratford wingers of decent ball. Howards chased every ball lost cause or not to give some respite. Williams and Heaven were rock solid at the back.
Just as the half was drawing to its close Stratford was ‘suckered’ for a second game in a row. Town won their first corner of the match on 45 minutes which keeper Dan Platt clutched with ease and launched a counter attack. A weak defensive clearance fell to Courtney Richards and he nonchalantly tucked it away from the edge of the area.
The second half saw Alex Henshall replace Enoch Andoh and the balance of play switched to Stratford again. Henshall was sharp and incisive and combined well with Grocott. Sammons had a shot blocked on 52 and on 55 Howards raced clear only for Platt to make an outstanding save.
Two minutes later and Town was level. Henshall sprinted left delivering a fine cross to the far post; Howards knocked the ball back across the goal; and Grocott arriving late hammered home from close range.
The game began to lose its shape as both teams tired and parity was restored. Even the introduction of Lait and Taylor failed to re-ignite Bromsgrove. It took some Henshall/Grocott magic to break the deadlock.
On 87 minutes the duo combined on the left with Henshall finding Grocott just inside the area on the left. Arrow-like Grocott’s shot arced into the far corner of Platt’s net. The game was effectively over with the exhausted and injured Howards giving his all to the dying minutes.
This was an outstanding performance against a talented and determined Bromsgrove side and if the season progresses would bode well for the rest of Town’s season. And well done to the Bromsgrove Staff and Officials for being so meticulous in their preparations and enforcing Covid protocols. Equally to the fans of both sides for their cooperation in achieving this.
Man of the Match: Will Grocott
