Heath Hayes 0 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 4 (3) at The Coppice Colliery Ground

Following a disappointing home draw the previous week, Sporting returned to form with an assured win over Staffordshire team Heath Hayes writes Phil Baker.

Sporting's Aaron Roberts and Jack Wilson returned as full-backs, Luke Edwards replaced Craig Jones who was carrying a knock whilst up front returnee Andy Nicol paired striker Jason Cowley.

With fourteen minutes gone the visitors got a shot on target but home 'keeper Matt Wiggins saved low from Reece Hewitt. A minute later it was action at the end other end when Charlie Ware got on the end of Ryan Burns' free-kick but Rouslers 'keeper Chris Jay had an easy pick up.

Two minutes later and Sporting were in front as Will Tibbetts' corner to the far post was met by Luke Edwards; his header was cleared but only to Reece Hewitt who leapt high to make a spectacular scissor-kick to fire home as the ball went in off the under-side of the bar.

Six minutes later Sporting doubled their advantage when Cowley put a neat pass though Hayes' defensive wall that Tibbetts met and with just Wiggins to beat chipped the 'keeper from 15 yards out.

With another six minutes on the clock, the away side got their third and a deserved goal for the hard-working Cowley who beat two defenders before firing past Wiggins from an tight angle.

Hayes had their best chance of the half on the 39th minute when Hartshorne shot just past the left-hand upright.

The second half was a scrappy affair with the light fading and legs tiring quickly on the soft pitch. Sporting bagged another goal on 60 minutes from Nicol who gave Wiggins no chance with a hard low effort that went under the diving 'keeper.

Luke Edwards came up for a corner on 69 minutes but tapped substitute Chris Lloyd's corner just wide of the left-hand post.

A few minutes later though what had been a competitive but relatively uneventful match changed when Tom Craine chased a 50/50 ball into the box but connected late with Wiggins showing both sets studs giving referee Mr Stott little choice but to show him a red card.

From then on the crowd saw precious little football but a flurry of yellow cards as the game became more bad-tempered, Lloyd produced a decent half-volley that went just wide on the last minute. Finally after brandishing two more yellows Mr Stott decided that was enough with five added minutes on the clock.

Sporting remain in 3rd position in Midland League Division One but there is still lots of football to play this season. Left back Jack Wilson became the fifth Sporting player to clock up 100 appearances.

Heath Hayes: Matt Wiggins (Capt), Ryan Goodwin, Luke Holmes (Kieren Nelson 55 mins), Ryan Burns (Rhys Horton 80 mins), Chris Horton, Steven Yates, James Russell (Jack Partridge 61 mins), Andrew Davis, Charlie Ware, Oliver Hayward, Joe Hartshorne.

Substitutes not used: Brad Rolston, Alex Scott.

Yellows: Ryan Goodwin (87 mins), Chris Horton (90+3 mins), Andrew Davis (90+3 mins).

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Keenen Meakin-Richards, Luke Edwards, Danny Morris, Will Tibbetts (Chris Lloyd 61 mins), Sam Wills (Capt), Jason Cowley, Andy Nicol (Tom Craine 61 mins), Reece Hewitt (Luke Dugmore 69 mins).

Substitutes not used: Nathan Walker, Craig Jones.

Goals: Reece Hewitt (16 mins), Will Tibbetts (21 mins), Jason Cowley (27 mins), Andy Nicol (60 mins).

Yellows: Keenen Meakin-Richards (75 mins), Aaron Roberts (90 mins).

Red: Tom Craine (75 mins) Referee: Mr B Stott (Uttoxeter) Assistants: Mr I Wylie (Burntwood), Mr M Slater (Dudley).

Weather: Cool, damp.

Crowd: ~ 110 Sporting Man of the Match: Jason Cowley.