Sporting survive early scare to progress - The Droitwich Standard

Sporting survive early scare to progress

Droitwich Editorial 15th Oct, 2014 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

THERE was a sense of déjà vu at the Victoria Ground on Saturday as Bromsgrove Sporting recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to defeat Smithswood Firs 2-1 in the Les James Challenge Cup.

The Midland Football League Division Three outfit stunned the home fans when Chris Else scored just before the break.

But for the third week in a row, the Rouslers bounced back after trailing by a solitary goal at the interval to win 2-1.

Firstly, Will Tibbetts’ volley got his side back on level terms before Simon Fitter scored a sensational free-kick, which proved to be enough to send Sporting through to the third round.




With two divisions separating the two sides, Bromsgrove, who are sixth in Division One of the Midland Football League, were strong favourites to progress and they did not take long to stamp their authority.

Aaron Daniels and Tibbetts were terrorising Smithswood’s defence as a superb run from the former set up Sam Wills whose effort went narrowly over the bar.


At this time point, the visitors were struggling to get a foothold in the game, while they also had their keeper, David Stratford, to thank as he superbly saved Wills’ curling free-kick.

Sporting seemed in control, but with four minutes left of the first half they received a hammer blow as Else’s emphatic finish gave Smithswood’s the lead.

The goal rocked the Rouslers and it could have got even worse as Nathan Leek evaded the offside trip, but fortunately for Bromsgrove his shot was rushed.

This was a huge relief for Paul Smith and his players as they came storming out of the blocks and wasted little time to get the equaliser after the break. Tibbetts fired home a thumping volley just inside the area after latching on to Wills’ cross.

After a scintillating start to the second period, Bromsgrove’s supporters had to wait 20 minutes before their side took the lead.

But it came in some style as skipper Fitter struck a free-kick from near the half way line over Smithswoods keeper who was unsighted due to the sun and into the back of the net.

Fitter’s strike appeared put a big dent in the visitors’ hopes as Sporting stepped things up in the final 25 minutes. But they could not extend their lead as Wills and Craig Jones both had chances which they either put wide or were well saved by Stratford.

Bromsgrove Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Chris Sockett, Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, Ryan Mahon, Will Tibbetts (Reece Hewitt 83 mins), Aaron Daniels, Gary Hay (Sean Brain 71 mins), Sam Wills, Danny Ludlow (Jozsef Jakab 71 mins).

Unused substitutes: Chrisi Conway, Scott Smith

Smithswood Firs: David Stratford, Chris Else, Andrew Glenn, Nathan Leek (William McKenna 76 mins), Adam Rooke, Anthony Short, Aaron Hughes (Nathaniel Darby 54 mins), Lee Harris, Craig Evans (Capt.) Curtis Thomas, Aaron Anderson (Adam Hemming 68 mins).

Substitutes not used: Carl Thompson, Daniel Billingsley

Referee: Mr A Glazzard (Stourbridge)

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