Bromsgrove Sporting 2, Studley 3

BROMSGROVE Sporting’s thirteen game unbeaten run in the league came to an end at the hands of a Danny Carter-inspired Studley, writes Conor Rees.

Sporting took a seventh-minute lead through Billy Russell, who collected Sean Williams’ driven pass before firing into Dan Payne’s bottom left-hand corner.

Studley’s first attack ended with the ball in Sporting’s net but, to the hosts’ relief, Jovan Blake-Walker tapped in from an offside position.

Bromsgrove wasted two good chances and were punished for their profligacy on the stroke of half time after Dan Carter curled a fabulous equaliser from 20 yards out.

The impressive Williams put Sporting back in front after the break, robbing the last Studley defender before firing into the far corner.

However, the lead was short-lived as Studley managed to reply within two minutes through another superb finish from Carter.

The ball was whipped in low towards Bromsgrove’s near post for Carter to exquisitely back-heel the equaliser.

Reece Hewitt almost gave the visitors the lead for the first time in the match but his powerful drive skimmed the outside of the far post.

Sam Wilkinson should have scored with his first touch after coming off the bench, but his goalbound shot brought a fantastic save out of Payne.

Studley had very few attempts in the match, but made the most of their chances and found a winner six minutes from time.

Dan Carter picked up the ball inside the Sporting half and managed to outpace the last defender before deftly chipping past the onrushing Bedford to seal the points.

Elsewhere, Pershore took a 3-1 lead over Brocton early in he second half, but the champions-elect staged a comeback to win the game 4-3 deep into injury time.

Sporting’s wasteful afternoon saw the end of their rnine-match winning streak and means Brocton require just two points from their four remaining games to secure the title.

Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Chris Duggan, Matt Poyner, Joe Cole (Capt.), Craig Jones, Sean Williams, Darius Darkin (Sam Wilkinson 77 mins), Mark Bellingham, Billy Russell, Jack Wilson (Danny Ludlow 77 mins).

Studley: Dan Payne, Richard Deeming, Ben Judd, James Turk, Jake Wilcox, Ryan Gardner, Dan Carter, Reece Hewitt, Jovan Blake-Walker, Sam Wills (Capt.), Sam Hawker.

Subs not used: Josh McGinley, Jordan Porter, Tim Bradley, Jarryl Hylton, Charisma Agbonlahor.