The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central, Monday 26th December, 1:30 p.m. kick-off
Stourbridge 1 (1) Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (0) at the War Memorial Athletic Ground
A mild and sunny Boxing Day greeted fans as they arrived at the War Memorial Athletic Ground in Amblecote for what promised to be a tasty encounter not only between two local teams but fairly close to each other in the league.
There was just one change to Sporting's starting line-up with Brandon Smalley playing up front with Dan Sweeney in place of the absent Lewis Wright.
The pitch was quite heavy following the spell of cold weather and rain and it was Stourbridge who seemed to cope with the conditions better in the early stages. Obinna Anaebonam and Reece King went close whilst former Sporting legend Jason Cowley fired a couple of shots just over the bar.
However with just over 20 minutes on the clock, Sporting began to assert themselves particularly in midfield and forced four corners in a short spell but like their opponents when they were in control, they could not make the last touch to find the back of the net.
With the game opening up, both teams continued to play entertaining football and wasted no time getting forward but despite some good chances, the final touch eluded them until just after the 45 minute mark when the Glassboys broke the deadlock. A well-worked move saw Anaebonam pass to Dexter Walters whose pin-point cross met Alex Moore who shot low into the bottom right-hand corner of Ollie Taylor's net.
The second half began much the same as the first with the home side very much on the offensive and they probably regretted not increasing their lead when they had numerous efforts. Both Moore and Cowley were guilty of squandering good chances, though Ollie Taylor did make a brilliant double save against the pair on 63 minutes.
Sporting though needed some fresh ideas so cue for three substitutions that included Jack Newell making his first appearance of the season. Those changes seemed to give the Rouslers a bit more momentum and the tactic paid off on the 83rd minute when Ryan Edmunds received a pass wide on the right, he hit a cross into the box, Dan Sweeney failed to connect and the ball ran though to Ammar Dyer who had enough time to line his shot and fire home into the top left corner, well wide of Charlie Price's outstretched arm.
The last 10 minutes proved to be the most entertaining of the match with both sides eager to gain the full three points but despite an attempted lob by Sweeney from close to the halfway line that went wide and a fine shot by another former Rousler Reece Styche that was parried by Ollie Taylor, there were no additions to the score and the two teams had to share the two points.
After the match Sporting player/manager Mike McGrath said he was pleased with the match though admitted that Stourbridge could have put the game beyond reach had they taken chances particularly just after the interval.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Kieron Dawes, Ammar Dyer, Joe Curtis (Jack Newell 64 mins), Tom Taylor (Capt), Mike McGrath, Miro Pais (Ryan Edmunds 74 mins), Mo Njie, Dan Sweeney, Brandon Smalley, Jack Tolley (Callum King-Harmes 76 mins). Unused substitutes: Dom Perkins, Blake Kindred.
Referee: Mr J Allsopp (Wolverhampton)
Crowd: 1263
Sporting Man of the Match: Ammar Dyer
