Craig Jones bags a brace as Sporting hit five past Pilkington XXX

BROMSGOVE Sporting made it four wins in the row in the Midlands Division One and eased their FA Cup pain with a comprehensive win in Birmingham on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Rouslers rallied after Saturday’s cup defeat to Hinckley to maintain their unbeaten league start.

From the kick-off the away side looked to have more commitment and determination and could have taken the lead in the first few seconds had Dale Edwards managed to control the ball a bit better.

However, after putting their opponents under considerable pressure, the opening goal finally arrived on six minutes courtesy of Craig Jones' powerful header following a nod on from a corner by Sam Wills.

The second came five minutes later with Edwards opening his account for Sporting.

Pilks keeper Reece Francis dispossessed Josh McKenzie only for the loose ball to run to Edwards on the edge of the box who fired home a low drive.

Sporting got their third on 34 minutes and Jones his second when he hooked a loose ball into the back of the net following a free kick that the home side failed to clear.

With Sporting now playing downhill in the second half, the hard working Luke Dugmore was unlucky not to get on to the scoresheet after a couple of minutes when his shot hit the post after a neat interchange with McKenzie.

Pilkington started to get more in the match and had their best effort of the game on the 57th minute but Daniel Pitt's weak shot was easily gathered by Brendon Bunn.

On 78 minutes, substitute Sean Brain was hauled down by Francis in the box and Reece Hewitt beat outfielder Matthew Stirzaker, who had gone into goal.

Sporting then completed their scoring on the 86th minute, when Ollie Gibson opened his account for the club.

PiIkington: Francis, Draper, McCalla, Chesters, Wicketts, McGinn, Oldfield, Gauntlett (Lloyd-Maddams 47), Pitt (Stirzaker 75), Lodge, Adjei (Douse, 61).

Substitute not used: Barrett Red: Reece Francis (78 mins) Sporting: Bunn, Roberts, Kelly, Fitter, Jones, McKeon, Dugmore (Brain, 63), Hewitt, McKenzie (Pykett, 63), Wills (Gibson, 73), Edwards.

Substitutes not used: Adams, Smith.

Referee: Mr. D Steatham (Bilston) Attendance: 170 Sporting MoM: Craig Jones