BROMSGROVE Sporting put on a gutsy display to edge out Yaxley, coming from behind to win 2-1, despite playing the remaining 25 minutes with ten men.
Looking to get back on track in Southern League Division One Central, Sporting fell behind in the fifth minute when Daniel Cotton got in behind and lobbed the advancing Dan Crane to give the Cambridgeshire visitors the advantage.
The Rouslers were not behind for long, though, as they forced themselves back on level terms 11 minutes later.
Some quick thinking by Nathan Hayward to play the quick free-kick allowed Jason Cowley to get a march on his man before cutting inside and curling a beautiful left-footed effort into the far corner.
Just three minutes later Sporting almost nosed themselves ahead but Richard Gregory could only volley over the bar after latching on to John Pykett’s right-wing cross.
Yaxley looked lively on the break and had plenty of joy down the right-hand side with Matthew Sparrow using his pace and trickery to his advantage.
Although Sparrow whipped in some dangerous deliveries into the box, his team-mates were unable to get on the end of them as the two sides went into the break level.
Yaxley came close to going in front just four minutes into the second period but Ross Watson’s header from Sparrow’s cross cannoned off the post.
Six minutes later Sporting were awarded a penalty after Cowley was fouled in the area.
Referee Jacob Lehane had initially signalled a free-kick on the edge of the area but after deliberating with his linesman the spot-kick was given, much to the anger of the Yaxley players and management.
Gregory then coolly smashed home from 12 yards to notch his tenth goal of the league campaign.
Sporting’s job to walk away with the three points was made harder with 25 minutes to go when Charlie Dowd was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a needless challenge on the near side.
And from the resulting free-kick, Watson could only head wide from Cotton’s delivery.
Despite being down to ten men, Sporting almost doubled their lead immediately up the other end but Pykett could only drag his effort wide of the far post after being played in following a clever flick by Cowley.
Battling Yaxley continued to push for the equalising goal, utilising Sparrow’s pace whenever they could and although Thomas Walmsley fired wide with ten minutes, that was as good as it got for the visitors as Sporting closed out the win which keeps them second in the league standings.
Report courtesy of Craig Gibbons (Bromsgrove Standard)