BROMSGROVE Sporting surrendered a second-half lead as Reece Flanagan’s brace condemned the Rouslers to an opening day defeat against local rivals Redditch United.
Prince Henry deservedly fired Bromsgrove ahead on 71 minutes only for Flangan’s sublime free-kick to level for the visitors minutes later.
And Flanagan then scored a hotly-disputed penalty on 86 minutes with Sporting unable to find an equaliser despite creating the better chances at the Victoria Ground.
Sporting’s first real sight of goal came when Callum King-Harmes drilled an effort inches wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area.
And the Rouslers went close to taking the lead shortly before half time when Keiron Berry cut in from the left and curled an effort narrowly wide of the post with Reds keeper Adam Harrison at full stretch.
Sporting won a free-kick in a central position soon after with Reds keeper Adam Harrison equal to Conor Tee’s effort from 20-yards out.
Bromsgrove remained on the front foot at the start of the second half as Harrison made an acrobatic stop to keep out Berry’s curling shot from the left.
However, Redditch spurned a gilt-edged chance to take the lead when a short back pass allowed Cooper in on goal only for Taylor to make an excellent save when one-on-one.
Sporting deservedly took the lead on 72 minutes when Henry controlled Berry’s cross from the left and coolly found the bottom right corner from close range.
However, Redditch equalised just two minutes later when Flanagan curled a stunning free-kick into the top left corner from 25-yards out.
Sporting had a chance to retake the lead when a corner from the left travelled all the way through to Henry who was unable to turn the ball home from six-yards out.
And Sporting were made to pay for that missed chance when the referee awarded Redditch a penalty after Aram Soleman went to ground in the box much to Bromsgrove’s fury.
Reds midfielder Flanagan duly dispatched the resulting spot kick into the bottom left corner to leave Bromsgrove stunned with four minutes left to play.
And Sporting were unable to find an equaliser despite creating the better chances throughout as Redditch claimed the local bragging rights.
