The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central - Saturday 22nd April 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Royston Town 4 (3) Bromsgrove Sporting 0 (0) at Garden Walk
Sporting last Saturday travelled down to Royston in Hertfordshire in the hope of finishing the season on a high note but it was not to be as they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat, bringing the end to a forgettable campaign.
It was hardly an ideal start for the Rouslers with three of their star players unavailable. Tom Taylor and Mo Sebbeh were suspended following red cards against Stourbridge whilst Kartell Dawkins was injured that meant several players playing out of position.
Things did not get any better once the match started as with just five minutes gone, the Crow's lanky striker Matthew Bateman went down in the box following a clumsy tackle by Mikel Brown. Referee Mr Olhausen immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Bateman himself converted, hitting hard and low into Ollie Taylor's net.
Sporting rallied somewhat after that setback with Prince Henry forcing Royston's 'keeper Dimitrios Kyriatzios into a save round the left-hand post and player/manager Mike McGrath putting a 35 yard drive just over the bar. However the home side were still threatening and got their second on the 26th minute when Taylor failed to hold a cross from Adam Murray dropping the ball at the feet of Kyjuon-Jaeger Marsh-Brown who easily fired home into an empty net.
Brandon Smalley and Henry both went close soon after but for all intents and purposes, Royston put the match well outside Bromsgrove's reach six minutes before the interval when a tame shot from Ronnie Henry from 10 yards out took a deflection off McGrath and went sailing past Taylor's outstretched left arm for his team's third.
For the second half, Miro Pais replaced Tris Dunkley giving Sporting a bit more pace on the flanks but chances were few and far between. Royston though were still looking to increase their lead and that came on 64 minutes. Ronnie Henry sent a corner over from the left to the far post which was met by an unmarked Kian Harness who easily nodded into the top right hand corner.
Smalley did have a couple of chances late on, one of which was easily saved and the other going wide then Royston's Murray headed against the bar in the last minute; had they scored it would have flattered them a bit. There was some drama though in added time when Sporting kitman Matt Ballard got involved in a fracas with the opposition bench earning him a red card. Once things settled down, Mr Olhausen blew for full-time and the end of the season for both teams.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor (Capt), Ayo Lekuti, Lewis Wright (Demi Akinwe 70 mins), Joe Curtis, Mikel Brown (Nathan Kabeya 53 mins), Mike McGrath, Jack Newell, Conor Tee, Prince Henry, Brandon Smalley, Tris Dunkley (Miro Pais 52 mins).
Unused substitutes: Blake Kindred, David McQuaide.
Referee: Mr S Olhausen
Crowd: 417
Sporting Player of the Match: Ayo Lekuti
