FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

It was always going to be a tough day at the office for unbeaten Spa as soon as they drew a Bromsgrove Sporting side 3 steps above them in the non-league pyramid. Ultimately, that little extra class told, but not before Spa had given Sporting a scare.

The first half went pretty much as one might expect. Sporting read the break down of phases of play quicker than Spa and dominated the opening period. It came as no great surprise when they opened the scoring. Spa had chances, including a goalmouth melee in which at least four attempts on goal were repelled by some last ditch Bromsgrove defending but the half belonged to Sporting.

The second half, on the other hand, belonged to the Saltmen, even if the final score did not reflect this. Mazey runs from Perry Moss, and Josh Hurdman caused the Sporting back line plenty to think about with both players creating numerous chances. Finally, tenacious closing down and a pin point pass from Hurdman, was selflessly moved on by Alex Dugmore to Moss who tucked the ball away at the back post and levelled the score. The first 30 minutes of the second half were all Spa’s with wave after wave of attacks placing the Sporting defence under real pressure. But just when it looked like Spa could snatch an unlikely win, Sporting’s extra class told and they secured the win with two smartly taken goals late in the second half, to put their name in the hat for the next round.

There is plenty for the Saltmen to take from the game. They did not look out of place against much higher level opposition and, for a thirty minute period in the second half, were the better side. Spa can now concentrate on the league when they have negotiated FA Vase and MCC.

See you at Kingys #UTS

Cheers

Steve