A LATE Sean Brain goal guided Bromsgrove Sporting to a 1-0 win against Studley in the 1st Round of the Polymac Packaging League Cup. It came after a largely uneventful 87 minutes, with very few clear cut chances and misplaced passes aplenty.
The visitors had a chance to open the scoring after a quarter of an hour, when Andy Milan found himself in acres of space. But his effort from inside the area was put wide of the post. A gilt-edged chance spurned.
The rest of the goal-scoring opportunities from the remainder of the first half fell to Brain. His first chance came on the 18th minute, when he broke into the box with a burst of speed. Unfortunately, his effort could only bulge into the side netting.
The Sporting frontman then had a chance to get on the scoresheet seven minutes later. A well weighted ball from the doughty Luke Dugmore fell at his feet, but he could only place it directly into the arms of the grateful Studley stopper James Cutts.
Dugmore had two chances of his own shortly after the second half
commenced, the second of which drew a fine, low save from Cutts.
The 56th minute provided Bromsgrove with arguably their best opportunity of the match to that point. However, it wasn't a Sporting player who provided it. A curling free kick from the Rouslers' captain Brendan Kelly put the away side's defence into disarray. The ball came to Studley substitute Mike Healy, who's sliced attempt of a clearance hit the crossbar and, luckily for him, flew over.
Despite Sporting's relative dominance, Studley were not without their chances. Brendan Hicks had a free kick cleared by defender Craig Jones on the 67th minute and the next attack saw Healy blaze his long range effort just wide of the top corner.
The breakthrough came with a little under five minutes to go. Luke Dugmore's pass inside the box fell to Brain, who's shot from 10 yards out was dispatched with ease.
His celebrations with manager Paul Smith and the coaching staff shortly after the goal showed just how much it meant to him.
The dying minutes of the game saw Sporting gradually wind the clock down with some conservative possession play until the final whistle blew, much to the satisfaction of the home faithfull.
Reporter: Max Banner
