Bromsgrove Sporting 1, Lichfield City 0

BROMSGROVE Sporting recorded a seventh straight win to keep their title hopes alive on Saturday, writes Max Banner.

A second half strike from Jack Wilson helped the Rouslers to a workmanlike 1-0 victory over Lichfield City in the Midland Football League Division One on Saturday afternoon.

Victory lifted Bromsgrove to second but with leaders Highgate United defeating Bolehall Swifts, the table toppers have a six point lead over their biggest title rivals.

The game looked as though it was destined for a stalemate going into the half-time break but the tempo picked up in the final 45 minutes, with both teams having chances on goal.

The home side dominated what little chances there were in the first half. Front man Josh McKenzie and defender Craig Jones had headers that did not do much to test goalkeeper Ryan Moore while winger Will Tibbetts hit a long-range effort over the bar.

Sporting continued to dictate proceedings for the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

Sean Brain and McKenzie had chances on goal but Sam Wills looked most likely to break the deadlock in this period and saw a 20-yard shot only just sailed over the upright.

Lichfield saw Mark Rose, Adam Wood and Dan Worrall all direct headed efforts off target.

The visitors were made to rue these missed chances instantly as Wilson’s fired his left-footed shot into the bottom corner on the 71st minute.

Substitute Wills was instrumental in the build up, playing a clever ball through to the eventual goal scorer.

The action was far from over though. Chris Duggan’s firm effort struck the crossbar for Sporting while Rose had another chance for Lichfield but his shot from a tight angle was pushed wide by keeper Jake Bedford.

Sporting managed to hang on in the dying moments but not without cause for alarm.

The lively Andre Francis curled a last minute effort, which looked destined for the top corner.

However, it was not to be for the away side, as the ball shook the crossbar and went out of play.

But Bromsgrove manage to hang on for the win, despite looking like having to share the spoils at certain times throughout.

Sporting: Bedford, Duggan, Delaney, Fitter, Jones, Williams, Tibbetts (Adams, 46), Clarke (Wills, 46), Brain, McKenzie, Wilson.

Subs not used: Ludlow, Jakab, Smith.

Lichfield: Moore, Francis, Haines, Worrall, McLeod, Haynes (Adam Wood, 26), Downes (Himson, 55), Bull, Evans, Rose, Parkes.

Subs not used: Hunt, Page, Bennett.

Referee: M Gupta (Leicester) Attendance: 375 Sporting Man of the Match: Jack Wilson