Midland Football League Division One – Saturday November 10

Bolehall Swifts 0 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 8 (3) at Rene Road

If there was any criticism of Bromsgrove Sporting this season it has been that they have not been scoring as many as they were capable of.

That was not the case on Saturday as they overwhelmed their opponents in a fine display of disciplined football in poor weather conditions, writes Phil Baker.

Playing down the slope from the kick-off, Sporting spent pretty much the whole of the first 20 minutes of the match in Bolehall territory, though it was eight minutes before they had their first chance but home keeper Matt Hill did well to save from Jason Cowley's feet in a one on one.

A few minutes later Swifts had their first good move with Tom Howard and David Yonwin combining well to supply Joseph Obi but his shot was saved low by Chris Jay.

Luke Shorthouse and Cowley both had reasonable efforts saved by Hill but the deadlock was broken on the 23rd minute when Chris Lloyd floated over a pin-point corner into the box that Craig Jones headed goalwards.

Hill got a touch to it but could only watch as the ball went into the net off the underside of the bar.

Four minutes later Cowley beat the Bolehall offside trap only to be held back by Harrison White tugging his shirt.

A yellow for the defender and he was probably lucky not to get a red as the last man.

Sporting were now delivering nearly a shot a minute as Cowley headed over the bar, Sam Wills tried to lob Hill from 40 yards but went wide whilst Jack Wilson's thunderbolt went just over the bar.

The Rousler's second came on the 34th minute when Cowley's hard work paid off as he connected with Jack Wilson's cross giving Hill no chance.

The third arrived on 38 minutes, courtesy of a Chris Lloyd penalty earned when White was unlucky to handle in his own box.

Playing on the upwards slope after the interval and in increasingly heavy rain, Sporting continued to dominate though playing neat football on the heavy pitch was nigh impossible and both teams resorted to the long ball.

With 60 minutes on the clock The Rouslers gained another penalty this time for a clumsy tackle just inside the penalty area but Hill guessed correctly and dived to parry Lloyd' s strike only to see the striker tap home the re-bound.

Shortly after, the home side had their best chance of the match when Jay was forced to make a good tip over from Hollingsworth's header.

Reece Hewitt got number five for the Bromsgrove team when he slotted a through ball under the diving Hill then number six arrived on 80 minutes as Lloyd drove home from short range.

Sporting got two more as substitute Andy Nicol drove in from a few yards out then with seconds remaining, Chris Lloyd got his fourth tapping in after Hill had parried his original shot.

Speaking after the match, Paul Smith said he was obviously happy with the result and pleased with the performance especially given the atrocious conditions in the second half.

Bolehall: Matt Hill, Perry Cotton, Michael Bloore, Kyle Bache, Harrison White, Tom Howard, Steffan Hollingsworth (George Brindley 96 mins), David Yonwin (Chris Sockett 69 mins), Joseph Obi (Capt.), Ryan Ball, Chris Cowley.

Substitute not used: Ben Richardson.

Yellows: Harrison White (7 mins), Steffan Hollingsworth (60 mins).

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Sam Wills (Nathan Walker 69 mins), Craig Jones (Capt.), Luke Edwards, Chris Lloyd, Robbie Bunn (Keenen Meakin-Richards 78 mins), Jason Cowley (Andy Nicol 60 mins), Luke Shorthouse, Reece Hewitt.

Substitutes not used: Jake Willcox, Will Tibbetts.

Goals: Craig Jones (23 mins), Jason Cowley (34 mins), Chris Lloyd (38 [pen], 60, 80, 90+2 mins), Reece Hewitt (78 mins), Andy Nicol (90+1 mins).

Cards: None.

Referee: Mr A Clenaghan (Tamworth) Assistants: Mr D Badger (Shirley), Mr D Cole (Tamworth).

Weather: Mild, heavy rain.

Crowd: 94