Football
Late goal denies Sporting

Buy photos » Bromsgrove Sporting keeper Tom Savage watches on as Fairfield threaten on Saturday. Picture by Rob McLaren.

Fairfield Villa 1 Bromsgrove Sporting 1

Midland Combination Division One

MARTIN Slevin’s injury time goal secured a point for Fairfield Villa from Saturday’s local derby against Bromsgrove Sporting.

The teams were meeting for the fourth time this season but for the first time at the Recreation Ground and a big crowd gathered to watch the local rivals battle it out.

Sporting were already confirmed in third place in the table and with Villa certain of mid-table security, playing for local pride was the big aim of the day.

Lewis Smith and Scott Gaffney made Sporting’s defence work hard in the initial stages with the latter going on to have a goal ruled out for off-side.

Somewhat against the run of play it was Sporting who opened the scoring when former Villa mad Jon Rogers worked his way into the box in the 22nd minute before being fouled by Andy Pike. Joe Brookes easily converted, beating Marc Rogers into the roof of the net.

Determined to respond, Villa saw Gaffney force two good saves out of Sporting stopper Tom Savage whilst Slevin was denied from 20-yards as it remained 1-0 at the break.

Kevin Banner almost doubled the advantage three minutes after the break but Rogers, playing his last game before retirement, was equal to his effort.

Sporting attempted to keep possession better in the second half but Villa applied pressure throughout, denying them the chance to create many opportunities.

With the game entering stoppage time it appeared Brookes’ first half strike was going to be enough to give his side the three points but Slevin had other ideas.

The battling midfielder beat Aaron Roberts on the left before placing a 15-yard shot under Savage for a well deserved equaliser.

There was still time for Fairfield to try and snatch a winner but Savage denied Steve Morgan with seconds remaining.

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