Our brand new feature, in which we look back at some of Bromsgrove Sporting’s most famous goals and get the insight from the people who scored them, continues with Leon Broadhurst’s goal in our 1-0 win over Tamworth – a huge game at the Victoria Ground in the Southern League Premier Central in January 2020.
11th January 2020. What a game lay ahead here… 2nd played 1st, with both teams in red-hot form. Sporting were looking to make it four wins in a row, having enjoyed a successful Christmas period with victories over Alvechurch, Stourbridge and Biggleswade Town. Tamworth had been racking up plenty of points in the lead up, as they had been doing all season. They had only lost one out of nine games on the road during the league season, but the Rouslers did win the reverse fixture 3-1 in August. This was all set to be a ding-dong battle to savour…
“We were going into the game against Tamworth on a great run of form. This was one of the biggest games in the club’s short history, due to the opportunity to go top of the league,” Leon said.
“Tamworth have been challenging for the league for many years and have some fantastic players. We were all playing to a high standard due to our level of confidence and therefore believed we could win.”
The first half saw Tamworth’s Dan Creaney have a hatful of chances, but found Sporting keeper Daniel Platt just too good.
Leon said: “The game started very competitively, with both teams doing their upmost to win. The first half was very equal and, to be honest, if it wasn’t for Platty in goal, we could of been going in behind.
“In the second half, we established ourselves into the game and started to dominate possession. Tamworth were very strong and created more great chances – Platty was having a ‘worldie’ and keeping us in the game.”
Despite the visitors’ pressure, it was the Rouslers who would break the deadlock, just shy of the hour mark. Greg Mills had a free kick from distance; the goalscorer explained the rest…
“In dead ball situations like that, I always believe that I will score. I did the same run as I have done for many years and the ball came across to me and I headed it home.
“This was such a great feeling to take the lead for the lads, in front of a full house crowd, due to all the effort we had put in.”
Although he got on the scoresheet, Leon explained that the moments after the goal were far from plain sailing…
“We were all very nervous about the final minutes, as we knew Tamworth would come strong.
“We held on and the lads, and club as a whole, were delighted. This resulted showed what we were able to achieve and show how much we have developed as a team and club.
“It was a great day and I cannot wait to be back playing again.”