The Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central, Saturday 25th November 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Needham Market 2 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (1) at The Bloomfields Stadium
Bromsgrove Sporting made another long journey to Suffolk last Saturday to play second in the league and in-form outfit Needham Market and despite matching their opponents for much of the game, returned empty-handed after their hosts scored twice during a powerful second-half spell.
With Aksum White and Ben O'Hanlon suspended, manager Mike McGrath put Elliott Ball and Ayo Lekuti in the full-back positions whilst Jack Newell returned in mid-field.
There was little goalmouth action in the first 15 minutes as the two sides cancelled each other out in midfield but that changed a minute later when Sporting's Callum King-Harmes picked up a poor pass from Needham's Tevan Allen, sprinted through a gap in defence then calmly chipped keeper Marcus Garnham to give his side the lead.
A few minutes later, Conor Tee attempted to increase the margin for the Rouslers with his trademark move of picking the ball up in the corner then circling back before attempting an angled shot from the edge of the box; on this occasion though the ball was easily gathered by the home keeper.
At the other end, the Marketmen also had a couple of good chances but Ollie Taylor defending the Bromsgrove net made good saves with the second brilliantly stopped with one hand.
At the beginning of the second half, Taylor was called into action in the first minute and again made a skilful one-handed save from Luke Ingram to keep his side in the match.
From then on though apart from a useful free-kick from Tee, it was all Needham Market with an intense period of pressure that finally paid off on the 65th minute when Jacob Lay's cross was powerfully headed home by Jake Dye giving Taylor no chance.
Two minutes later, the home side took the lead when Seth Carroll-Chambers tapped in the rebound after Ingram's useful shot hit the Bromsgrove left upright.
Surprisingly having taken the lead, Needham took their collective feet off the throttle and seemed to be content in defending their narrow advantage. Chances from then on were few for either side though Sporting substitute Miro Pais put a good shot over the bar whilst Carroll-Chambers hit the side netting when it looked easier to shoot on target.
In fairness, a point for The Rouslers would not have been unjustified and they can take some consolation from having played well against a good team. However there is no reward for having been plucky losers and they will be now be looking at forthcoming fixtures to pick up some much-needed points.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Elliott Ball (Billy Shaw 80 mins), Ayo Lekuti, Jack Newell, Aaron Roberts, David Solademi, Callum King-Harmes (Samson Hewett 71 mins), Luke Rowe (Capt), Kobe Hall (Miro Pais, 70 mins), Conor Tee, Keanu Cooper. Unused substitutes: Kartell Dawkins, Tris Dunkley.
Sporting Player of the Match: Aaron Roberts
Attendance: 277
Referee: Mr O Sadd
Report: Phil Baker
