Stratford Town 1 (Wragg 72')
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (Willock 12', Timson 48')

Bromsgrove Sporting secured their league safety at Stratford Town on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a deserved 2-1 win.

Goals from recent new additions Shay Willock and Nile Timson made it three wins from the Rouslers' last four away matches, with former Rousler Charlie Wragg netting the Stratford goal.

The result and Sporting's Southern League Premier Central status being confirmed for next season caused rapturous celebrations between both fans and players after the final whistle.

The Bards started the game brightly, with Owen James having a fifth minute strike tipped over the bar by the fingertips of Rory Brown.

Bromsgrove's Luke Benbow saw an audacious volley dip just over the bar three minutes later.

The opener came in the 12th minute, as Benbow found Willock, who slotted home his one-on-one effort coolly into the net.

Further chances came the way of Sporting afterwards, as they dominated the first half. Benbow put the ball in the net in the 26th minute, but it was ruled out for a handball in the lead up. This was closely followed by Billy Shaw taking it around keeper Jake Weaver but finding himself unable to get a shot away.

Willock had a shot saved in the 31st minute, before Kyle Belmonte saw his wonderfully curled effort hit the underside of the crossbar two minutes later.

In the 39th minute, Shaw was close to entering Goal of the Season territory, as he serenely beat three defenders at will before hitting the post with his strike from inside the area.

Sporting would only have to wait three second half minutes for their second, as a sumptuous Jack Kelly corner was knocked in by Timson amidst a melee of bodies.

Belmonte hit the woodwork once again when his 51st minute free kick evaded everybody before hitting Weaver's far post.

The home side halved the deficit in the 72nd minute, as Wragg finished a well worked move with a well struck effort from close range.

Lewis Ison had a couple of opportunities to level proceedings towards the end of the game - one being a free kick from close to the penalty area that Brown diverted wide nicely and the other being a shot which the Sporting stopper kept out with his right foot.

Sporting held on well and managed the game smartly to gain a richly deserved victory, with the jubilant scenes afterwards truly a joy to behold.

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Entertainment Rating: 4/5
Reporter's Player of the Match: Shay Willock (Bromsgrove Sporting)

Attendance: 1,368
Sporting Player of the Match, as chosen by fans Tracey & Troy: Shay Willock

Report: Max Banner