Match Report

Diamonds fell to a second defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon with the trip to Bromsgrove Sporting ending in a 2–1 reverse.

Diamonds started solidly but conceded a poor goal on 11 minutes to hand the initiative to the home side. Chances to clear a ball bouncing around the box were missed before it was finally backheeled over the line from 5 yards. Tom Lorraine headed against the bar as Diamonds tried to respond but they conceded a goal out of nowhere on 42 minutes as a speculative strike from 30 yards went into the top corner.

A better second half saw plenty of dangerous situations but few lead to chances. The game became end to end as Diamonds took more chances and Patrick Casey denied a potentially clinching 3rd for Sporting before Diamonds earned a penalty. Sadly Joel Gyasi saw his rising effort well saved. Sporting spurned some good situations on the break before Lorrell Smith pounced on an error to run in on goal and slide the ball home on 88 minutes to give Diamonds hope. A free kick and corner built late pressure but Diamonds hadn’t done enough to deserve a point and resurgent Bromsgrove deservedly took the points.

A disappointing performance after the encouragement of last week’s win but an early chance to put things right on Monday with the visit of Peterborough Sports – 8–4 winners against Stourbridge today – to Hayden Road.

Match Summary: Paul Judd

Preview

Diamonds head to lovely North Worcestershire on Saturday afternoon to take on Bromsgrove Sporting in Southern League Premier Division Central action.

Bromsgrove Sporting

Sporting “the Rouslers” were created in 2009 as a supporters consortium attempting to save Bromsgrove Rovers from deep financial difficulties. That didn’t materialise and the consortium created their own team to safeguard football in Bromsgrove that been popular since 1885. The lease on Victoria Ground was secured and as Rovers were dissolved Sporting began life in the Midland Combination. Mid 2010’s saw Sporting on the upward track and after 3 consecutive 2^nd place finishes 3 consecutive promotions saw them climb to step 3 and into Southern League Premier Division Central. Their first season was the first COVID voided season with Sporting sitting in a very good 4^th place.

Previous Games

The first game between the sides was a chastening experience for Diamonds with the Rouslers running out incredible 8-2 winners at Hayden Road. It was an even game when Diamonds equalised at 2-2 on 39 minutes but a third for a dominant Bromsgrove and two sendings off either side of half-time killed Diamonds chances. 9 man Diamonds battled to be just 4-2 down by the 82nd minute but a tiring, dispirited Diamonds conceded 4 goals in a horrendous last 10 minutes. Diamonds reclaimed some pride with a hard fought 0-0 draw in the away game but were beaten 1-0 in the short “voided” season at Bromsgrove in October 2020.

Southern League First Week

Bromsgrove had a disappointing start to the season with a shock 4-0 home defeat by Leiston on the opening day followed by a 3-0 defeat at local rivals Alvechurch midweek. They bounced back with a hard fought 1-0 win at Needham Market last Saturday and sit in 17^th place with 3 point from 3 games.

Diamonds also suffered home defeat on their opening day with Banbury United inflicting a 2-0 defeat in midweek. They bounced back with a dramatic last minute 2-1 victory against fancied Coalville Town at Hayden Road last Saturday to sit 15^th with 3 points from 2 games.

Peterborough Sports and Hednesford Town are the only teams with 9 points from 3 games, with Banbury United and St. Ives the only other unbeaten sides on 7 points. Stratford and Redditch sit on 6 points with one defeat each and 5 sides have four points – Leiston, Tamworth, Coalville, Royston and Biggleswade. Lowestoft are the only side to have lost all three games but Stourbridge will be very disappointed with their start of just 1 point from 3 games putting them second bottom alongside Needham Market and Nuneaton Borough.

The game

Diamonds saw Tom Lorraine return to the forward line with great effect last week and Patrick Casey stand in for injured Alex Collard equally well. Dean Snedker had another great performance in goal but an early injury for Claudio Dias and Will Jones having to go off after being on just a few minutes in the second half were major disappointments.

However manager Andy Peaks believes his team have a spring in their step after bouncing back in front of a jubilant Hayden Road crowd last week and is looking forward to another positive performance this week. Both sides will feel they have their season underway now and will be looking for a second victory to push up the table.

Radio Diamonds had one of those magical moments to commentate on with that late late winner last week and will be looking for something similar this week at the Victoria Ground. In-game Twitter updates, Match Reports and Highlights/Interviews are always worth looking out for so enjoy your Diamonds coverage this weekend.

Paul Judd

Radio Diamonds