BROMSGROVE Sporting overcame a goalkeeper crisis to beat Coleshill Town at the Victoria Ground on Tuesday night.
With Shaun Edwards unavailable and Jake Bedford failing to make an appearance, manager Paul Smith was forced to hand striker Jozsef Jakab the gloves.
But the Rouslers remained resilient as Luke Dugmore grabbed the opener before Reece Hewitt dispatched a 77th-minute penalty to win the match.
Despite being a pre-season friendly, the game was played at a fast pace, with the visitors passing the ball around neatly and Sporting making quick breaks up-field.
The hosts always looked on top as they had several opportunities before the breakthrough came on the half hour mark. Returnee Dugmore buried his shot after the Coleshill keeper made a couple of fine blocks.
Jakab had little to do in the first half, but when a shot did come his way on the 52nd minute he was left with no chance. Mykel Beckley’s 20-yard screamer flew into the back of the net to level matters.
It did not take long, though, before Sporting regained control of the match and kept Midland Premier side Coleshill pinned back in their own half for much of the remainder of the game.
Several substitutions from both sides disrupted the rhythm of the match, but Bromsgrove managed to edge ahead.
With 13 minutes left, Chrisi Conway was pulled down in the box and Hewitt stepped up to convert the match-winning spot kick.
Sporting are at home again tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain North West Counties League side Runcorn Town before heading to Dudley Sports for their final friendly on Tuesday.
