A LACKLUSTRE Bromsgrove Sporting required a penalty shoot-out to win the Worcestershire Senior Urn final, beating Lye Town 4-2 on spotkicks, writes Max Banner.
Josh Quaynor placed the winning penalty to send the travelling Sporting faithful into rapturous celebrations as the Rouslers scooped their second consecutive win in this competition.
However, unlike last year where Sporting lost to Highgate United in a penalty shoot-out before being awarded the trophy after the opposition fielded an ineligible player, Bren Kelly’s men won it on the night itself this time around.
The first period didn’t see either team muster any chances of particular note.
Jack Till had an early shot deflected over the bar as the Rouslers displayed initial nerves, while a sliced effort from Drew Canavan and a tamely hit Richard Gregory shot were Bromsgrove’s most significant efforts.
The second half had plenty more opportunities as Sporting still failed to show enough of the spark and guile which had seen them recently stretch clear at the summit of the Midland League Premier Division table.
Substitute John Pykett had a massive chance to break the deadlock following the interval after receiving the ball from Jason Cowley, but sent his gilt-edged effort flying over the crossbar.
Soon after Adam Garmson had an equally fine opportunity to give his team the lead but found his shot charged down by Reece Francis, who was a real shining light for Sporting throughout the evening.
The chances continued to come and, as the game progressed, they became more clear cut.
Cowley turned provider once again, this time for Canavan, whose shot from the edge of the box went narrowly over whilst Lye’s Till had an effort blocked out for a corner, in the aftermath of a goalmouth scramble.
Perhaps Sporting’s best chance of a goal came to full back Jack Wilson.
His burst of speed up the wing resulted in him being one-on-one with Lye stopper Tom Turner who was grateful for the effort being struck directly at him.
Lee Chilton had a shot saved nicely by Francis with 15 minutes remaining, which was followed quickly by Quaynor having a free kick well saved by Turner after he felled Cowley narrowly outside the box, for which he received a caution.
Sporting’s blushes were spared deep into injury time, as Reece Shilvock had a decent opportunity, which he spurned wide of the mark.
A game of missed opportunities galore and scrappy play resulted in penalties.
Gregory and Cowley gave Sporting a 2-1 lead after two spot-kicks for each team before Aaron Williams was the first to miss for Bromsgrove.
However, Francis’ emphatic save from Adam Meacham’s effort was followed by successful penalties for Canavan and Quaynor.
