BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith pulled no punches with his players by giving them a half time roasting following a goalless first half with FA Vase opponents Buckland Athletic, writes Nick Pullen.

Smith insisted: "I was annoyed with the players because they were letting the chance of reaching the FA Vase semi-finals pass them by.

"We simply weren't in it during the first half and really lucky to go in at half time with the score on 0-0.

"I've gave the players a real roasting. But I also changed the formation and we went from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 for the second half, which really helped us.

"We were simply not good enough in the first half and some of the players never got going, but somehow we got away with it.

"The second half was much better and as the game opened up, it suited us much more and gave players like Jason Cowley, Liam Spink and Reece Hewitt something to run onto.

"By the end, we could have won 4-0 but Jason Cowley and Chris Lloyd both missed a couple of sitters, which I'll be reminding them about later this week.

"We always seem to play better going up the hill towards the Shed End and that's how it proved!"

Smith admitted his heart was in his mouth after bringing in experienced goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan from National League Premier side Solihull Moors.

Vaughan sustained an injury during the opening exchanges which prevented him from taking any goal kicks.

Smith explained: "It was a re-occurance of an old injury. He's been back in training for the past three weeks and had no problem, but as soon as the game started, he felt it go.

"But what a save he produced to keep out Buckland's first half penalty. That's what you get with an experienced goalkeeper like Nathan."

Smith now awaits the semi-final draw to see whether Sporting get Cleethorpes, South Shields or Midland League rivals Coleshill Town.

He said:"I really don't mind who we get at this stage of the competition. We're in the semi-finals and that's what matters. We'll take whatever comes our way."