Match Report: Bromsgrove (A)

Barwell found themselves with one final hurdle in the up and down season that has been the 2023/24 campaign as they travelled to Bromsgrove Sporting, who secured their step 3 status last weekend with a win away at Stratford. The home side got off on the front foot, and should have found themselves ahead after just 2 minutes, a powerful long range bobbling up in front of Liam Castle and the veteran keeper had to scramble to push away but the Sporting striker nipped in but he couldn’t find the open goal from a tight angle. With 6 minutes gone Bromsgrove came close again, their ridiculously tall number 17 up front heading just wide following a good cross from the right. The returning Beck-Ray Enoru took just 14 minutes to remind the Barwell faithful what he can, a dizzying run to get himself out of danger and into the Bromsgrove half was eventually cut short but a mistimed slide challenge which resulted in a booking. With 20 minutes gone the home side came agonisingly close when a long range effort struck to post from about 25 yards out, with Castle rooted to the spot it was a heart in mouth moment for the Canaries but they were able to clear the danger. The game slowed down following that chance, both sides seeing the ball but a bobbly pitch, strong wind and impressive slope stopping Barwell playing their usual brand of football. With 5 minutes of the first half left to play, Enoru was once again on his bike through the heart of the Bromsgrove team, this time being hacked down with two feet from behind, the Bromsgrove player receiving a booking but the travelling support felt a red card was more worthy of the foul committed. With 43 minutes played Enoru found himself through on goal but an awkward bounce of the ball meant it fell behind him and he was dispossessed before he could get his shot off.

Half-Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 0-0 Barwell

The second half was a dull affair for the majority of it, 15 minutes going by with little action to report of, Barwell having started the better but couldn’t find the opener, the closest they came was from an Enoru low cross was flashed across the face of goal, inches away from connecting with Jahvan Davidson-Miller’s boot. On the hour mark Barwell made their first change of the afternoon, Leroy Lita being brought off for Tristan Dunkley. Barwell had their first man cautioned in the 72nd minute, Ethan Hill booked for a late trip in the middle of the park. Barwell made their second substitution after 75 minutes when Deen Master replaced Sid Kerr. A minute later Liam Castle was called into action, pushing a powerful shot across his goal and out for a throw in as both sides pressed for the opener which would come less than a minute later, Enoru winning the ball out on the right hand side before delivering a beautiful low cross to Tristan Dunkley who was in the right place at the right time to tap home against his former club and to give Barwell the lead. This warranted a fierce response from the home side, triple award winner last weekend George Ward putting himself in the firing line to produce an excellent block on the edge of the box. Barwell made their final change in the 80th minute when Aksum White came on for Davidson-Miller. With 4 minutes plus stoppage time left to play another Barwell defender put himself in the thick of it to help hold onto the three points, this time MJ Kamara superbly blocking another ferocious long shot. With 88 on the clock Josh Flanagan was booked down in the left hand corner for a push. Into the additional time and the skipper Brady Hickey was also booked, this time for kicking the ball away, even though it looked like the ball was still in play. Barwell were able to hold on throughout the 4 minutes added on to finish the season on a positive note in 14th place with 51 points.

Full-Time: Bromsgrove Sporting 0-1 Barwell