Bromsgrove Sporting lose out to late Leiston goal

The home side’s first goal came in the first minute from Adam Mills, who headed home before the Rouslers had even touched the ball, Iain Queen writes.

However, Sporting kept their heads down and brought the ball down and played good football, mainly with long-range shots, but unfortunately they didn’t threaten Sam Donkin too much in the Blues’ goal. With 33 minutes in the game, Leiston put the lead to 2 – 0 after he swerved the impressive William Davies on goal, putting the ball past Ollie Taylor, who didn’t give him a chance.

And so the score stayed the same and Leiston took the lead with two well-taken goals at half-time and deservedly held the lead.

Sporting looked more positive in the second half and front three Tris Dunkley, Conor Tee and Brandon Smalley combined well to create more and better opportunities in the final third of the field. The impressive Dunkley led the line well, didn’t lose a header throughout the game and consistently plagued the Leiston defence.

Sporting put the pressure on in the 58th minute when Tee went down in the penalty area and referee Mr Oakes didn’t hesitate to point to the penalty spot. Smalley reinforced himself and confidently smashed the ball into the top corner to make it 2-1 behind.

Unfortunately, Leiston was awarded a penalty of his own soon after after a trip in the pits. Finlay Barnes stepped forward and took the penalty to Ollie Taylor’s right. Luckily for Sporting, Taylor chose the right corner and made an excellent save before quickly getting back on his feet to save the rebound.

Minutes later, Bromsgrove won a corner after Ayo Lekuti was narrowly blocked by the Leiston defense with a superb curl. Smalley chipped into the resulting corner and Dunkley crossed his defender to nod home. Sporting deservedly equalized and appeared to be the team that could go ahead and win the game.

It was a head-to-head game and Leiston then came back into play and created some good chances from set pieces, first heading over the goal from close range and then hitting the post from a deep corner.

Undeterred, Sporting created chances of their own and Dunkley went on target but his shot went painfully wide of the post.

Then, in the 89th minute, Leiston won a free-kick which after a half clear was fought back into the box to Davies, who scored the connection to score his 28th goal of the season. Heartbreaking for Sporting, who continued to press, and player/coach Mike McGrath, who had now moved into midfield, propelled the side forward and demonstrated excellent leadership on the pitch.

Six minutes were added and the boys continued to be patient and work their way through the opportunities. A deep free kick from Tee was lashed at the back post and substitute Jack Tolley had a superb finish, heading low and hard but somehow Leiston’s keeper Donkin came down to keep the ball out and keep the goal line 3 – 2. Shortly after the Mr. Oakes whistled for full-time.

Despite the defeat, an achievement the players can be proud of. Three players debuted and one his first start. There were three teenagers in defence, pushing one of the best teams in the league to the max.