What should have culminated in the biggest day in the short history of Bromsgrove Sporting turned out to be an occasion that everybody will want to forget. Despite being down to ten men, Bromsgrove managed to get into a 3-1 lead only to throw it away in the second half.
A heavy shower not long before the kick-off left an uneven pitch quite heavy with standing waters around the edges. Both sides looked to be eager to get the noses in front from the start with Sporting having the best chance on the fifth minute when diminutive winger Sean Williams glanced a header goalwards that Stafford 'keeper Richard Stone just kept out.
But the game changed dramatically 2 minutes later when home striker Morgan Hurley broke through the Rouslers defence, Danny Morris gave chase with Hurley going down just in front of the box. At the best it was the slightest of touches and the ball did not look to be in his control but referee Mr Simpson gave a free-kick and as Morris was the last man he got a red card. The first of several controversial decisions during the afternoon.
With a bit more of a spring in their steps Stafford pushed forward and after a good build up, it was Hurley again who received a good pass wide on the right and after a couple of steps hit home hard and low from about 10 yards out.
Sean Williams for Bromsgrove attempted a lob from 35 yards that landed on the roof of the net whilst Hurley missed out on a second when Jake Bedford in the Sporting goal robbed him before the capable attacker could shoot.
Danny Ludlow for Sporting hit a good shot through a crowded penalty area on 19 minutes that Stone spilled and gathered but a minute later he was not so fortunate when he failed to hold a fierce shot from Mark Bellingham that he dropped at the feet of Billy Russell who gratefully smashed home from short range for Bromsgrove's equaliser.
Hurley again was in action on 30 minutes when his shot was cleared of the Sporting line by Chris Duggan but it was the away team who went in ahead at half-time after Danny Ludlow floated over a perfect corner that Sean Williams leapt up to head home hard into the centre of the Town net.
Ten minutes after the break Sporting increased their lead. Mark Bellingham found himself free on the right and after a short run into the box unleashed a powerful drive low into the bottom right hand corner of Richard Stone's net leaving the 'keeper no chance of saving.
From then on things went completely pear-shaped for the Rouslers. Stafford scored from the re-start when Jud Ellis made a run down right hitting a fine shot that went under a diving Jake Bedford from 15 yards out. Morgan Hurley then evened things up for the home side on 65 minutes when it was Hurley again who started the move out to the left when Brett Mander missed his tackle, he then chipped in a neat cross to Jud Ellis whose shot went in off the bar.
Stafford now changed their game plan and closed Sporting down knowing that there were a few tired legs and neat passing was near impossible on the uneven pitch. That worked work as it completely upset the away side's rhythm as they struggled to move the ball around let alone get it up front.
Inevitably Stafford got their fourth on the 78th minute when Hurley shot from a few yards out. It looked as if it has been cleared off the line but the assistant reference ruled that it had gone over allowing Town to celebrate.
Then it was desperate attacking and defending for the last few minutes. Ryan Fox for Stafford got a second yellow card and with just seconds left Jake Bedford went upfield for a corner but the loose ball ran out to Hurley who sprinted toward the empty Sporting goal. Chris Duggan challenged and as the nippy winger realised he was not going to run the length of field hit a shot from 45 yards that just about rolled over the Sporting line for Stafford's fifth.
It was all over for Sporting as the referee blew for full time immediately after the kick-off.
So the dreams of a final at the Bescot Stadium were rudely shattered. Having a player sent off early in the game did not help, but Sporting played well to get back to 3-1 up. However for some reason they failed to defend and organise themselves and Stafford took advantage of weaknesses in defence to gain a deserved win.
Stafford: Richard Stone, James Cresswell, Ryan Fox, Mat Dockerty, James Price, Jake Turner, Alex Barnfather, Jud Ellis, Chris Morris, Morgan Hurley (Capt.), Daryll Johns (George Burslem 59 mins).
Subs not used: James Wild, Joel Mills, Adam Cunningham.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Chris Duggan, Lewis Clarke, Joe Cole (Capt.), Danny Morris, Craig Jones, Sean Williams, Darius Darkin (Matt Poyner 75 mins), Mark Bellingham, Billy Russell, Danny Ludlow.
Subs not used: Sam Wilkinson, Craig Jones, Jack Wilson, Matt Lowe
