The Southern League Premier Division Central - Saturday 23rd April 2022, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Hitchin Town 1 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 0 (0) at The Top Field

A disappointing end to a disappointing season was how one fan succinctly put it as Sporting went down to another loss by a single goal in their last match of the season.

The decisive strike came eleven minutes before full-time and again had a familiar ring to it as Hitchin scored from a rare break when up to then the Bromsgrove defence has been pretty solid.

It was quite a cool afternoon down in Hertfordshire with a strong north-easterly blowing across the pitch. The home side started slightly brighter with the Rouslers captain Joel Kettle needing to clear a useful attack as early as the third minute and Jack Green shooting over the bar minutes later but Sporting gradually got into their stride keeping the Canaries' back four well-occupied. Mike McGrath fired over on the 13th minute whilst the hard-working Josh Dugmore was disappointed when nobody got on the end of his well-delivered cross a minute later.

Dom Perkins playing wing-back was putting in a useful shift and it was he who had Sporting's best effort of the half on 25 minutes only for Hitchin 'keeper Charles Horlock to make a fine save.

Just before half-time McGrath had another chance but Horlock was on hand to keep the ball out of his net.

After the interval, the home side pushed forward more than in the first half forcing Ollie Taylor into a couple of saves whilst at the other end Sporting were still getting into their opponent's final third but with nothing to show for their troubles.

Jamie Molyneux replaced Jon Letford up front and nearly scored from his first touch only to see his effort go narrowly over the bar.

Then the inevitable happened; Sporting pushed up for a corner only for Hitchin to clear and make a fast break up field. Malaki Black made a good run down the right and found Jacob Hutchinson in plenty of space who fired hard and low past Taylor from 20 yards out to give his team the lead.

Sporting did try to raise their game and get the equaliser in the last few minutes with Perkins coming closest in added time but it was not to be as Sporting's 2021/2 season finally fizzled out with credit to the players who applauded the large contingent of fans who showed their loyalty right up to the last minute.

Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Josh Dugmore, Dom Perkins, Toby Raison, Michael McGrath, Joel Kettle (Capt), Joe Willis, Josh Quaynor, Matt Barnes-Homer (Mitch Candlin 61 mins), Jon Letford (Jamie Molyneux 76 mins), Jordan Goddard.

Sub unused: Adam Marusiak

Referee: Mr O Mackey

Crowd: 777

Weather: Cool, windy

Sporting MoM (voted by fans on Twitter): Josh Dugmore

Stats:                            Leiston         Sporting

Shots on target                2                      2

Shots off target                3                      7

Free kicks                          7                      5

Offsides                            2                      1

Penalties                           0                      0

Corners                             4                      8

Yellows                              0                      0

Goals                                 1                      0