FLASHBACK TO 2014 & THE FA VASE: BROMSGROVE SPORTING 3-2 STOURPORT SWIFTS (AET)...

Swifts Fitted Up By Quick Kick Fitter

Bromsgrove Sporting 3 Stourport Swifts 2 

(a.e.t. FA Vase Qualifying Round 1 replay)

Simon Fitter, who seems to turn up regularly, wherever I watch my non-league football, played a stubborn midfield role for Bromsgrove in this FA Vase replay but then, during a dour extra-time period and following his unsurprising caution, he became a real force and exploded from a throw-in on the Sporting left during the second extra period, firing a vicious cross-shot into the far top corner of the Swifts’ net. He had thus earned the hosts a victory which had looked unlikely after the replacement of both their strikers before the visitors’ pressure had resulted in a 90^th minute equaliser from John Griffin. Sporting’s first-half display had seen them capitalise upon two Stourport errors to appear home and dry, but Swifts’ midfielder Michael McGrath was instrumental in his team’s fight-back, although in truth, home ‘keeper Jake Bedford was splendidly protected by the awesome defensive pairing of skipper Scott Smith and side-kick Toby Checketts. At least Fitter’s strike nullified the need for penalties… I was really welcomed superbly by the officials from Bromsgrove, for which I was humbled and now feel really grateful.

The slightly hesitant hosts were awarded a free-kick just 24 yards from goal, which Sam Wills shaped to take. His curling effort over the Stourport defensive wall was covered but then fumbled by goalie Brendan Bunn, as if he was unable to hang onto a lively ferret and Chris Conway slid with Swifts defender Kevin Spencer into the rebound, which Conway managed to nudge just inside the left upright, despite hurting himself in the process. 

WILLS' FREE-KICK WOULD BE SAVED BY BUNN BUT CONWAY WAS ABLE TO SCRAMBLE IN THE REBOUND...

Later Wills slipped a clever, measured pass for Conway to latch onto at inside-right and he went down under Jamie Willetts’ tackle to earn Bromsgrove a penalty, which Wills took, left footed. From a distance, it looked like the wily, creative player had clipped a cheeky spot-kick into the right corner of the net, reminding me ever-so-slightly of Ramos’ casual effort for Spain against Macedonia on the previous evening but the reports I heard from the Sporting bench were that Wills felt he had “…shanked it…” It’s what he does. 2-0 and still Stourport, for all their endeavour, had failed to rattle home ‘keeper Jake Bedford.

WILLS PREPARES TO SCORE FROM 12 YARDS...

The break arrived, Bromsgrove manager Smudger Smith’s earnest expression was still actually very earnest and it was evident that Spencer would not return for Swifts, after “…having a bit of trouble…” Actually Betty, he was hurt. Calvin Dinsley would replace him. And then I saw a rarity: a Bromsgrove coach warmed up the substitutes, who went through a sensible process, instead of becoming a rabble of chaps attempting the ‘crossbar challenge’, hacking shots out of the ground, or perhaps having a pee against a fence, or even having a crafty fag… Well done, Sporting… 

Bromsgrove were confronted by a more powerful approach by their guests after the break and several free-kicks were conceded by the panicky hosts. Following a short free-kick, Michael McGrath drove a shot too high but made amends when he curled a fine left-footer from 25 yards past the diving Bedford. 2-1 and Fitter was cautioned as more infringements were spotted by the eager official.

MCGRATH WOULD SCORE FROM THIS FREE-KICK...

Alex Cowley was replaced by Luke Morris for Swifts… Er, Morris and Cowley? With a Bedford and a Fitter in the game too? I liked that…

THE BODGING FINDS THE' B' FOR HIS NAME...

Incredibly, as time ran out, Stourport fired in a shot which went wide of the right upright but to Bromsgrove’s anguish, the officials awarded a right-side corner to Swifts. Griffin ran towards the near post, beating the falling Checketts and glanced his stooping low header beyond the rooted Bedford and into the far corner of the net. The Swifts had finally regained parity and the game moved into extra-time.

GRIFFIN WOULD GLANCE IN A HEADER FROM THIS CORNER...

The second period of overtime was quite even although Fitter took control of the midfield like a plumber with a wrench. A throw on the left led to Chris Sockett’s cross being blocked by a defender’s chest straight to Fitter, who took a step inside and struck his right-footed 25 yard cross-shot brilliantly and the ball rocketed into the top right-hand corner of the net, which was decent of him, as the lower parts of the net had been knitted together before kick-off… We knew he struck a ball well, but that was classy. The only problem left to face for Sporting, as Stourport struggled to recover from the shock of going behind again, was a very late free-kick from 24 yards by McGrath but this time his curled left-footer dropped into the grateful Bedford’s arms. 

FITTER'S FITTING CELEBRATION.
HE SUPPORTS BLUES, YOU SEE...

This had been a real cup-tie and I was glad I had chosen to go and watch it, rather than Coalville v Spalding… Not only had Bromsgrove got Peter Christmas on the bench, manager Smudger Smith must have thought it WAS Christmas when Fitter’s gift flew in… I went home, glad my camera batteries had just about lasted the match, for Mr Fitter would never have allowed me to forget it, had I missed capturing his wondrous goal…

  

Teams:

Bromsgrove:  Jake Bedford, Will Tibbetts, Craig Jones; Simon Fitter, Scott Smith (Capt), Toby Checketts; Ryan Mahon, Reece Hewitt, Chris Conway, Sam Wills, Danny Ludlow.

Subs: Peter Christmas, Chris Duggan, Dave Almond, Chris Sockett, Robbie Ager.       

Stourport:  Brendon Bunn, Ash Parsons-Smith, Jamie Willetts; Michael Briscoe, Kevin Spencer, Gary Walker (Capt); Alex Cowley, Michael McGrath, Lewis Pountney, John Griffin, Jamie Hyde.

Subs: Calvin Dinsley, Paul Hurrell, Ben Maund, Luke Morris, Alex Lavery.