The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round - Saturday 15th August 2015, 3.00 p.m. kick-off
Gornal Athletic (0) 1 Bromsgrove Sporting (2) 2
What a difference 4 days make. After a lacklustre performance against an admittedly much-improved Pelsall Villa side, Sporting recovered the form of last season to win through the first stage of this year's FA Cup.
After experimenting with various tactics and formations for the first two matches, the Bromsgrove outfit opted to use the extra width provided by Reece Hewitt and John Pykett and this gave them the better of the play in the early stages.
With the home side pretty much pinned back into their own half, Sporting created a number of good chances. Jamie McKeon saw his neat flick pushed round the post by home 'keeper Richard Kennedy on the 8th minute after a delivery from Joe Adam's free-kick.
Then four minutes later a good interchange between Adams and Sean Brain resulted in a well-placed cross to Josh McKenzie who forced Kennedy into a good save with a powerful header.
Brain himself might have got on to the scoresheet on 14 minutes after dummying two defenders but again it was home 'keeper who made another good save from the striker's well-hit shot.
However there was nothing Kennedy could do a minute later when Brain headed home Simon Fitter's excellent free-kick from the half-way line to give Sporting a deserved lead.
Going a goal behind gave Gornal a bit more impetus and they gradually got themselves more into the game. Chris Bladen put an effort just wide on the 36th minute whilst fellow striker Dreniz Bala forced Sporting 'keeper Shaun Edwards into a good save a couple of minutes later.
However Sporting were still pressing forward and the second goal finally came two minutes before the interval when Joe Adams latched on to a loose ball and drove a home a low powerful shot from just outside the box.
Gornal put their foot on the throttle a bit more after the change of ends but it was Sporting who had the best chance early on the half when Sam Prescot nearly put the ball into his own net trying to clear Reece Hewitt's well-delivered cross.
However the home side finally got one back on the 64th minute as Shaun Edwards failed to grasp substitute Liam Hickman's cross and the ball went over his head into the net.
A minute later Brian could have put the match beyond their opponents but skied a shot that was easier to put in the net. In fact Sporting had more than enough chances to seal the game but poor finishing; good goalkeeping and a measure of last-ditch defending prevented them from increasing their lead.
Gornal were not to be outdone and a couple of useful substitutions gave them a bit more presence up front. Carl Martin had their best shot of the afternoon on 75 minutes but this was well-saved by Edwards diving low.
There were a couple more weak efforts from the visitors in added time but neither bothered the Gornal defence and referee Mr Groves finally blew for the end match to the relief of the large contingent of travelling fans.
After the match Rouslers manager Paul Smith said "this was a very good performance today against a useful side. I was very pleased to see us creating lots of chances."
Sporting now await the result of the replay between Walsall Wood and Hinckley AFC to see who they will play in the next round at home on Saturday 29th August.
Gornal (Yellow/green shirts, shorts, socks): Richard Kennedy, Luke Guy, Liam Morris, Sam Prescot, Matt Vaughan (capt), Danny Crudgington, Mike Robertson (Liam Hickman 58 mins), Ben Stretton (Carl Martin 73 mins), Chris Bladen, Dreniz Bala, Ryan Edwards (Chris Wedderburn 73 mins).
Subs not used: Alex Cowley, Liam Hughes.
Yellows: Dreniz Bala (24 mins), Ben Stretton (71 mins), Luke Guy (84 mins), Danny Crudgington (89 mins).
Sporting (Red/white shirts, blue shorts, blue socks): Shaun Edwards, Aaron Roberts, Brendan Kelly (capt), Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, Jamie McKeon, John Pykett (Aaron Williams 73 mins), Reece Hewitt, Josh McKenzie (Ollie Gibson 90 mins), Sean Brain (Chrisi Conway 82 mins), Joe Adams.
Subs not used: Brendan Bunn, Scott Smith, Luke Corbett, Sam Delaney.
Scorers: Sean Brain (15 mins), Joe Adams (44 mins)
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Yellows: Simon Fitter (52 mins), Craig Jones (86 mins)
Referee: Mr M Groves (Shrewsbury)
Attendance: 128
Weather: Warm, sunny.
Sporting Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt
Match Report: Phil Baker
