Studley 2, Bromsgrove Sporting 7

Bromsgrove Sporting celebrated Christmas in style with a convincing win against plucky local rivals Studley and now find themselves back at the top of the league.

There was little between the two teams for the opening period, indeed the home side edged the play with Alex Knight hitting the side netting on the 14th minute then a minute later former Rousler Lewis Clarke, fired just past the right-hand post.

However Sporting always looked dangerous providing they could get past the Studley back four and they finally managed that on the 20th minute as Andy Nicol threaded a neat pass through the back line that Jason Cowley picked up and coolly stroked the ball into the left-hand corner just beyond Jordan-Joseph Durose's outstretched arm.

Sporting's second came on the 32nd minute from Will Tibbett's nicely flighted corner in the goal area that Andy Nicol knocked in. Four minutes later Liam Spink got his first goal since returning to the Rouslers when he blasted high in the net after Durose had parried Cowley's effort.

Studley then got themselves on to the scoresheet when the usually reliable Danny Morris lost the ball to Gary Evans just outside the box giving the striker enough space and time to shoot low and get the ball between the right-hand post and Sporting 'keeper, Chris Jay.

With the sun shining and a cool wind blowing across the exposed pitch, Sporting continued where they left off after changing ends and their fourth goal came on 56th minutes and again for Cowley who turned on to Will Tibbett's cross and half-volleyed home from 18 yards out.

To be fair to the home side they their heads did not drop and newly installed manager and former Rouslers boss Keith Draper urged his side on and they managed to get another one back a couple of minutes later when Clarke had an easy tap in after the Sporting defence failed to clear a loose ball.

However there was little they could do on the 64th minute when Cowley scored another contender for goal of the season when he rounded Luke Hennessy then from just inside the box, curved a beautifully flighted shot into the top corner of Durose's net giving the 'keeper no chance.

Sam Wills put away number six from a few yards out after a good pass from Spink then Chris Lloyd finished the scoring for Sporting on the 83rd minute with a penalty after Spink had been bundled over in the box.

So thanks to other results going in their favour, Sporting return to the top of the table. After the match, manager Paul Smith said, "This was a very clinical performance especially in front of goal. I was very pleased to see so many players putting in strong performances and taking chances".

Studley: Jordan-Joseph Durose, Keith Draper Jnr, Sam Delaney (Daniel Pitt 75 mins), Luke Hennessey, Dan Dineen, Oliver Casey (Matt Powell 62 mins), Alex Knight, Jack Moss, Gary Evans, Lewis Clarke, Danny Ludlow.

Substitutes not used: Matt Ross, Brad Rollason, Ben Wilkinson.

Goals: Gary Evans (38 mins), Lewis Clarke (57 mins).

Yellow: Luke Hennessey (21 mins).

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Joe Haines, Keenen Meakin-Richards (Sam Wills 60 mins), Craig Jones, Danny Morris, Liam Spink, Robbie Bunn, Jason Cowley (Chris Lloyd 75 mins), Andy Nicol (Luke Shorthouse 66 mins). Will Tibbetts.

Substitutes not used: Luke Edwards, Jack Wilson.

Goals: Jason Cowley (20, 56, 64 mins), Andy Nicol (32 mins), Liam Spink (36 mins), Sam Wills (70 mins), Chris Lloyd (86 mins penalty) Cards: None.

Referee: Mr J Brookland (Bromyard) Assistants: Mr A Genders (Redditch), Mr B Taylor (Worcester) Crowd: 362