Bromsgrove Sporting vs Stratford Town
Former Bromsgrove Sporting manager Gavin Hurren made his return to the Victoria Ground as his side ran out 1-0 victors in front of 616 fans, in a game that was played in tribute to former Bromsgrove and Stratford player Cody Fisher.
Bromsgrove started strong with Mo dancing into the box on the 20 minute mark where he was tripped, appeals from the Sporting players and fans fell on deaf ears and were waved away by referee Harry Tarrant.
As a mark of respect play was the stopped in the 23rd minute for a minutes applause for Cody Fisher.
Bromsgrove kept piling on the pressure as Mo once again found his way into the Stratford box but the ball was cleared by Stratford defenders before he couldn’t get a shot off. Several minutes before the end of the 1st half Miro Pais found space about 25 yards out but his shot went sailing over the bar as the two teams went into half time all square at 0-0.
The 2nd half got underway and there was an immediate change in the dynamic of game. Stratford looked positive and won a corner in the 47th minute when a shot from distance hit off the post and deflected off Sporting keeper Ollie Taylor. From that corner Stratford scored the 1st and only goal of the game as Paul McCone rose up and headed the ball past the stranded Sporting keeper.
Stratford almost made it 2 with 15 to go if wasn’t for a super save from Ollie Taylor (who made his 50th appearance for the Rouslers tonight) away to his left hand side which bobbled and almost caught him off guard.
Bromsgrove tried to find a late equaliser in added time but it was to no avail as Stratford move themselves to within 2 points of safety.
As for Bromsgrove, they find themselves firmly in mid-table. Tonight’s game begins a stretch of 4 consecutive home games for the Rouslers where they next face Ilkeston Town on Saturday where the away side are chasing a playoff spot.
Cameron Jarvis
