BROMSGROVE Sporting stretched their unbeaten run to four matches after an impressive Boxing Day win against Stourbridge before playing out a stalemate with AFC Telford United on New Year’s Day.
Jack Newell’s first-half goal helped Sporting to a 1-0 win against Stourbridge at the Victoria Ground as the Rouslers claimed a first league victory since October in front of more than 1,000 spectators.
And the Rouslers then held play-off chasing Telford to a goalless draw at the New Bucks Head on New Year’s Day after drawing 2-2 at Stamford’s Zeeco Stadium in their last game before Christmas.
The results mean Bromsgrove sit 18th in the Southern League Premier Central table, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Against Stourbridge, the two teams traded early chances as Alfie Steward failed to hit the target for the visitors while Keiron Berry tested Charlie Powell in the Stour goal at the other end.
However, Sporting scored the game’s only goal on 19 minutes as Newell headed in at the back post after player-manager Mike McGrath helped Conor Tee’s corner into the scorer’s path.
Stourbridge almost found an equaliser as Charlie Dowd fired over after Steward and Ethan Freemantle both sent headers wide.
However, the Rouslers held on to end their eight-game winless run in the league and record back-to-back clean sheets at home.
And Sporting then made the trip to Telford for their first game of the New Year as Rouslers goalkeeper Ollie Taylor produced an inspired display to ensure the game ended goalless.
Telford piled on the pressure at the end of the first half as Taylor kept out Reece Styche’s effort before then denying Montel Gibson moments later.
Sporting almost broke the deadlock early in the second period as Telford stopper Brandon Hall made a fine save to keep out Tee’s shot following a fine run.
At the other end, Taylor produced a smart save to palm Ellis Brown’s around the post before also denying denied Gibson and Styche in quick succession.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the closing stages as Billy Shaw shot narrowly over from 30-yards out while Taylor made two more crucial saves to keep out shots from Byron Moore and Remi Walker.
Bromsgrove are next in action at home to Long Eaton United on Saturday, January 6 with kick-off at 3pm at the Victoria Ground.
