Tuesday 11th August 2015.
Pelsall Villa (1) 2 - 2 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting, The Bush Ground.
Second half substitutes Reece Hewitt and Jon Pykett inspired Sporting as they snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat for Sporting in an otherwise lacklustre display against a much improved Pelsall Villa.
Having shipped over 150 goals last season, Sporting supporters could not be blamed for expecting Pelsall to roll over but a combination of good luck and resolute defending ensured that they came away from the game with a hard earned point.
Sporting, playing up the hill, started the first half the stronger and it wasn't long before they were creating chances. A long ball from Aaron Roberts was misjudged by the Pelsall keeper leaving Josh McKenzie through on goal.
Only a superb sliding challenge from the Pelsall defender Harry Rogers kept the scores level. Craig Jones then blasted over from the resulting corner before summer signing Luke Corbett rattled the woodwork.
However it was Pelsall who took the lead against the run of play. After a great run from Villa's Dean Williams and some suspect defending, he calmly slotted home past Sporting keeper Shaun Edwards.
The first half continued with Sporting having the bulk of the possession but without creating any clear cut chances and as the half time whistle sounded the score was still 1-0 to the home side.
The second half started in a very similar fashion with Chrisi Conway missing a diving header after a delightful cross from Joe Adams shortly followed by Josh McKenzie hitting the post yet again for a luckless Sporting.
It was therefore no surprise to the Sporting faithful when Pelsall doubled their lead after a well worked counter attack was finished by Aaron Sylvester.
The game looked lost until the arrival of Reece Hewitt and new signing Jon Pykett off the bench. The latter provided the width down the right flank that had been lacking whilst Hewitt proved more effective in the centre of midfield than James McKeon and Aaron Williams.
A magic goal from Hewitt soon after he came on changed the momentum of the game; after ghosting past two defenders he elegantly lifted the ball over the Pelsall keeper and into the top right hand corner of the net.
Sporting were now in the ascendency and some great build up play led to a Hewitt pass finding Sporting's other substitute Sean Brain on the touchline who managed to square the ball to strike partner Conway who couldn't miss from two yards out.
The grandstand finish that was now in store never materialised due to several occurrences of cramp, which seemed to be catching amongst the Pelsall team. This killed Sporting's momentum and the game finished 2-2 without major chances for either team.
Pelsall Villa :- Thomas Turner, Jordan Kent, Callum Phillips (Alex Norris 76), Michael Murray, Andrew Cahill, Harry Rogers (Adam Johnson 86), Alistair Holding, James Walker, Spencer Blackham (Luke Holmes 60), Dean Williams, Aaron Sylvester.
Subs not used :- Jake Gough, Jake Fogarty.
Yellow card :- Luke Holmes (67)
Bromsgrove Sporting :- Shaun Edwards, Aaron Roberts, Brendan Kelly (Reece Hewitt 72), Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, James McKeon, Joe Adams, Chris Conway, Josh McKenzie, Luke Corbett (Sean Brain 60), Aaron Williams (John Pykett 72)
Subs not used :- Scott Smith, Brendon Bunn.
Yellow Card :- Craig Jones (90+1)
Referee :- Mr. R. Massey (West Bromwich)
Assistants :- Mr. S. Hale (Wednesbury)& Mr. J. Wain (Great Wyrley)
