The Buildbase FA Vase third round – Saturday December 3

Nuneaton Griff 0 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 2 (1) at The Pingles Stadium

Bromsgrove Sporting seemed to have developed the knack of performing when it really matters and this match was no exception with a controlled and adept win against Nuneaton Griff writes Phil Baker.

Proceedings began with an impeccably observed one-minute silence to honour the footballers from Chapecoense who died in the tragic air crash earlier this week.

From the kick-off the Rouslers were fast out of their blocks, forcing a succession of corners but all were successfully defended.

Carrying on from where he left off last week, Jason Cowley looked to be the biggest threat to home side and nearly got the opener on nine minutes when he attempted to lob Courtney Belford but the well-built 'keeper was well-positioned to make the catch before any damage resulted.

A minute later Griff had their first good chance but Tyson Knight's header was easily gathered by Chris Jay. That effort appeared to inspire the team in blue as they started to occupy more time in their opponent's half culminating in a gilt-edged chance on the twentieth minute when Jay had to make a reflex save from Tyson at the far post following a corner.

However their impetus ran out a couple of minutes later when Sporting took the lead. Jack Wilson put a delightful ball through the Griff back four that Cowley picked up leaving him to marginally win a one-to-one with Belford and the resulting shot slowly rolled over the line.

Sam Wills had a good shot turned wide a few minutes later whilst at the other end Knight always looked dangerous but put his shot over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Cowley again used his superior pace to win a 50-50 ball which he knocked to Andy Nicol in the box only to be up-ended by Ryan Aston who got a yellow card, fortunately for him Sam Wills blasted the resulting penalty over the bar.

Knowing they had to get back into the match, Griff pushed forward from the restart but chances were few apart from a lob attempted by Matt Brennan from 40 yards but Jay was alert and made an easy catch.

Five minutes later Nicol was substituted by debutant, Luke Shorthouse who was immediately into action as he received a fine pass out on the right from Sam Wills. The lanky striker rounded two defenders before making a cross from a short distance that Ryan Millerchip fired into his own net to double the Bromsgrove side's lead.

With a reasonably comfortable, cushion manager Paul Smith decided not to risk anything against a side capable of fighting back so Nathan Walker came on for Cowley to tighten up the midfield.

Apart from a free-kick by Chris Lloyd that Belford saved well and shot from Walker that Jack Leech cleared off the line, neither side got any closer to scoring.

Nuneaton Griff: Courtney Belford, Darren Hutchinson (Connor McEwan 71 mins), Ryan Aston, Jack Leech, Ryan Millerchip, Chris Tullins (Capt.), Harry Walker-Donavan, Sam Belcher, Matt Brennan (John Russell 82 mins), Tyson Knight, Tom Bates, Jake Staniforth.

Substitute not used: Jack Colley.

Yellows: Ryan Aston (41 mins), Sam Belcher (42 mins), Chris Tullins (47 mins), John Russell (90+2 mins).

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Sam Wills (Capt), Luke Edwards, Danny Morris, Chris Lloyd, Robbie Bunn, Jason Cowley (Nathan Walker 82 mins), Andy Nicol (Luke Shorthouse 64 mins), Reece Hewitt.

Substitutes not used: Craig Jones, Tom Craine, Jake Willcox Goals: Jason Cowley (22 mins), Own Goal (66 mins).

Yellows: Jason Cowley (18 mins), Luke Shorthouse (89 mins).

Referee: Mr T Walker (Belper) Assistants: Mr R Davies (Ilkeston), Mr D Constable (Derby).

Weather: Cool, dry.

Crowd: 168 Sporting Man of the Match: Sam Wills