Southam United 2, Bromsgrove Sporting 3

BROMSGROVE Sporting produced a stirring comeback to clinch the Les James Challenge Cup by defeating Southam at the Bescott Stadium.

The Rouslers had been trailing 2-1 with 15 minutes to go but by Sam Wills and Josh McKenzie bagged two goals in as many minutes changed the course of the game.

With Sporting playing in a prestigious stadium for the first time, the 550 strong crowd made up of mainly Bromsgrove supporters were in a noisy and celebratory mood even before the players came on to the pitch to tumultuous applause.

From the kick-off, both teams started at a frantic pace and it soon became obvious that this Southam side was better team than that Sporting beat 7-0 just before Christmas.

Former Rousler Chris Bright had the first real opportunity on the fourth minute but his shot was blocked by Jack Wilson, whilst a couple of minutes later Josh McKenzie went just wide of the left hand post.

The game though turned on the 10th minute when Wilson was adjudged to have handled in the box and referee Postin immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Louis Bridges duly despatched for Southam sending Jake Bedford the wrong way.

This prompted to Sporting into life and they made it 1-1 in the 19th minute when Reece Hewitt angled a shot beyond Tim Ross between the Southam sticks after a good interchange of passes with Josh McKenzie.

Both teams exchanged blows in pretty equal measure but didn't test either goalkeeper.

Sporting's best chance fell to Wills a minute before the interval but his shot hit the side netting.

The second period continued in much the same vein with plenty of effort and hard work from both sides with the respective back fours holding firm though Bedford had to make a good save from a point-blank Bridges' shot on 54 minutes.

Sporting brought on substitutes Sean Brain and Chrisi Conway to give them a bit more firepower up front and the latter evaded the Southam defence but steered his shot wide.

But Southam took the lead in the 74th minute against the run of play, when Thomas fired home a screamer from 25 yards giving the diving Bedford no chance.

Bromsgrove responded well and made it 2-2 two minutes later, when Wills turned and fired low into the corner of Ross's net.

McKenze came close with one effort but bagged the winner in the 78th when he slid a well-placed shot under the advancing keeper.

Southam came close to pegging back Sporting at the death but Stefan Grudzinski's effort grazed the right-hand post.

Referee Mr Postin played just 3 minutes of adding time before finishing the game and allowing Sporting to collect their second trophy in five days.

Southam: Ross, Brighton, Thomas, Jones, Hunt, Crisp (Grudzinski, 86), Bright (Yeates, 75), Harding, Ajibade, Bridges (Hijjar, 65), Yeates.

Subs not used: Townsend, Keller.

Sporting: Bedford, Morris, Wilson, Williams (69 mins), Jones, Smith, Tibbetts (Brain, 62), Wills, Hewitt, McKenzie (Jakab, 89), Wills, Adams (Conway, 62).

Subs not used: Duggan,Delaney.

Referee S Postin (Coventry) Attendance: 550 Sporting Man of the Match: Reece Hewitt