Sporting survive Nash dismissal to sink Southam (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Sporting survive Nash dismissal to sink Southam

2:48pm Monday 18th March 2013 in Local

Bromsgrove Sporting, 2 Southam United 1

SPIRITED Sporting came from behind to beat a well-organised Southam United side, writes Ryan Merrifield.

Former Rousler George Curry came back to haunt his old team by putting United 1-0 up but a splendid strike from Elliot Nash and a late finish from Jovan Blake-Walker saw the home side take the win.

The win in the Midland Combination Premier was even more impressive as Nash was sent off in the second half.

Sporting started in a lively manner, the pace and strength of Blake-Walker in particular causing problems for the away defence.

Nash capitalised on a mix-up in the United defence to break through on goal, but his through ball to Andy Nicol resulted in a scuffed shot into keeper Ollie Manuel’s hands. Sporting continued to apply the pressure and Keith Draper Jr stung Manuel’s hands with a powerful effort from outside the box. The winger was then booked minutes later by referee Kevin Carroll for a clumsy challenge in his own half.

Southam were beginning to pass the ball around well in the midfield, frustrating the home players and leading to some mistimed challenges, but the away side were far from clinical in front of goal.

The strikers were sending several wild shots wide and midfielder Chris Hayden even cleared the north stand with a desperate effort.

But it was United who took the lead on 35 minutes when Curry skilfully turned several Sporting defenders and drove into the box, finishing cheekily in the bottom corner.

The Rouslers, however, were not deterred and in the 42nd minute Nash sent a brilliant curling effort into the top corner from 30 yards to level the scores before half-time.

The away side then began to pepper Sporting keeper Reece Francis’ goal with some much better efforts, the impressive Curry turned and shot from inside the box, skimming the post and leaving Francis out at sea. Home defender Chris Gleadow then put in a clumsy challenge inside the box, though it went unpunished.

At the other end Bradley Whitehouse, making his full home debut, found Nash well with a clinical through ball, but the winger sent his shot into the side netting.

With an hour played Nash was then harshly shown a straight red for a mis-timed challenge on the half-way line, leaving Sporting with only ten-men.

But they continued to battle and Nick Harris saw two powerful efforts saved by the alert Manuel.

Southam looked to have won the game as the match went into the final 25 minutes when Smith burst through on goal, squaring it to Curry, though Sporting’s Chris Gleadow did well to get back and slide the ball away.

But it was Blake-Walker who would settle the tie, pouncing on the ball inside the box to coolly finish after Nicol had forced the keeper into action.

Sporting: Francis, Roberts, Davies, Gleadow, Morrison, Harris, Nash, Whitehouse (Rogers, 65), Blake-Walker, Nicol, Draper.

Subs not used: Ross, Humphries, Gardiner, Byatt.

Southam: Manuel, Rees (Clough, 88), Thomas, Thompson, Cole, Hayden, Tomczak, Gaggini, Forinton (Smith, 45), Curry, Graham (Passey, 75).

Subs not used: Williams, Welsh.

Referee: K Carroll (Acocks Green).