MATCH-WINNER Liam Spink believes Bromsgrove Sporting ‘just about’ deserved victory at the weekend as they came from 2-1 down to beat Cadbury Athletic 3-2 to move four points clear at the top of Midland League Division One.
The former Redditch United man showed a composed head to net the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to secure all three points for the unbeaten league leaders who by no means had it all their own way on Saturday afternoon at the Victoria Ground.
Jason Cowley had given Sporting the lead after ten minutes but poor defending allowed Tory Herbett to bag a goal either side of half-time to give Athletic a surprise 2-1 lead.
With Sporting’s 22-game unbeaten league run on the verge of being blemished, substitute Tom Craine forced the equaliser with 18 minutes to go before earning the penalty which allowed Spink to net a last-gasp winner in front of the famous Shed End.
Spink said: “The keeper was trying to get into my head before I took the penalty but I don’t normally let that happen.
“I stayed calm and put the ball where I always put it so it’s good to get the three points.
“It was a tough game to be fair as Cadbury are a good team and you have to give them respect as they worked hard all game and were very organised.
“We were far from our best but in the end I think we just about deserved the win.”
Spink and the rest of his team-mates now turn their eyes towards the FA Vase as they welcome Toolstation Western League outfit Buckland Athletic on Sunday for a quarter-final clash.
With the stadium capacity increased to 3,000 and more than 2,500 tickets already sold for the game against their Devonshire-based visitors, Spink told the Standard the fans will be a ’12th man’ in their quest to reach the semi-finals for the very first time in their history.
“There’s a real buzz around the dressing room right now and the fans will be massive for us,” he added.
“3,000 will be the most we have all ever played in front of so they will certainly be the 12th man for us.
“We are really looking forward to it.”
Match highlights courtesy of Danny Carter.
