The Pitching-In Southern League Premier Division Central, Monday 28th August 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Stourbridge 1 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (1) at The War Memorial Ground
After a disappointing home performance last Saturday, Bromsgrove Sporting made the short journey over the Clent Hills to play Stourbridge on Bank Holiday Monday in the hope of maintaining their 100% away record.
The Rouslers had the majority of the possession and the play in the initial stages but failed to make much of an impact in the final third of the field whilst The Glassboys made the most of their chances testing the Bromsgrove backline with Luke Benbow grazing the post and Niall Flint forcing keeper Ollie Taylor into a one-handed save on 29 minutes.
As the half went on Sporting started to press the home defence and had good chances from Jack Newell whose 25-yard drive went narrowly over the bar, whilst Aaron Roberts headed over from a corner. However, their determination paid off one minute into added time when Newell made a great run to the edge of the penalty area from mid-field, off-loaded to Miro Pais who turned 180 degrees then drove a powerful shot into the corner of Charlie Price's net to send Sporting in at the break, one-nil up.
Hardly surprising, Stourbridge came out fighting in the second half with their best chance arriving on 51 minutes and with Taylor out of reach, Luke Rowe for Sporting headed Reece King's shot off the line.
Ten minutes later Benbow had another good effort for the home side when he attempted to convert Price's up-field kick from deep inside the Stourbridge half but his shot went well-wide.
The burly striker though got his chance on the 63rd minute when he was fouled in the Bromsgrove box earning a penalty which he duly despatched moments later.
Having got one goal back, Stourbridge went for the winner peppering the Bromsgrove goal on several occasions but solid defending and a couple of poor shots kept the score unchanged.
Sporting might have had a penalty themselves with a few minutes of normal time to go when player/manager Mike McGrath was pulled back by his shirt but the assistant indicated no foul to the referee much to the surprise of the crowd including the Stourbridge bench.
After six minutes of added time, Mr Buckle blew for the end of play with more jubilation from the Stourbridge end who celebrated gaining a point whilst Bromsgrove supporters looked downcast not to have won.
Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Aksum White, Ben O'Hanlon, Jack Newell, Aaron Roberts, Mike McGrath, Miro Pais (Gustavo Sanches 87 mins), Keanu Cooper (Callum King-Harmes, 73 mins), Prince Henry, Conor Tee, Luke Rowe (Capt). Unused substitutes: Goodluck Eke, Kane Auld. David Solademi (63 mins),
Referee: Mr J Buckle
Sporting Player of the Match: Jack Newell
Attendance: 969
Report by Phil Baker
